Afghanistan’s Taliban government has initiated plans for dam construction on the Kunar River, a move poised to impact Pakistan’s water supply significantly. The directive, originating from Taliban Supreme Leader Mawlawi Hibatullah Akhundzada, stresses the need for rapid dam building, with an emphasis on utilizing domestic resources and companies. The Afghan Information Ministry shared the instruction on X, signaling a strong commitment to expediting the projects. This comes after a period of heightened cross-border conflict between Afghanistan and Pakistan, which recently saw a ceasefire brokered by international mediators. In May, Taliban army General Mubin’s visit to the Kunar area highlighted the perceived strategic importance of water resources, with the official emphasizing their crucial role for the nation. This development could reshape regional water dynamics and add another layer of complexity to the relationship between Afghanistan and Pakistan.
