Saturday, July 19, 2025
spot_img

Taliban’s plans to build dam escalates tensions with Pak

Date:

Share post:

spot_imgspot_img
New Delhi, Dec 23: Plans by the Afghan Taliban to build a hydroelectric dam on a major river in Afghanistan have raised concerns in neighbouring Pakistan, the media reported.

A spokesman for the Taliban’s Water and Energy Ministry said on December 18 that the “survey and design of the project are complete”.

A Pakistani provincial minister said the unilateral decision by the Taliban to build the dam “will be considered a hostile act against Pakistan”.

Jan Achakzai, the provincial information minister in the southwestern province of Balochistan, warned of “severe consequences”, including “escalating tensions and potential conflict”, RFE/RL reported.

The 480-km-long Kunar River originates in the Hindu Kush mountains in northeastern Afghanistan and merges with the Kabul River before flowing downstream into Pakistan.

Afghanistan’s rivers are a significant source of fresh water for Pakistan. But the two neighbors have never signed a bilateral water-sharing agreement.

Disputes over Kabul’s plans to build dams on major rivers, which would reduce the flow of water to Pakistan, threaten to be a source of tension and conflict between the two countries, RFE/RL reported.

The planned hydroelectric dam on the Kunar River is the latest ambitious infrastructure project undertaken by the cash-strapped Taliban government, which remains internationally unrecognized.

Experts said the extremist group lacks the expertise and finances to fund the project.

“Constructing dams requires technical know-how, a robust supply chain, and a lot of money,” said Najib Aqa Fahim, an Afghan water-management expert.

Najibullah Sadid, another Afghan water expert, said the dam on the Kunar River is relatively small and will not threaten water flows to Pakistan.

IANS

spot_imgspot_img

Related articles

Sajid Nagi wins Meghalaya’s first international powerlifting medal

Shillong, July 18: In a landmark achievement for Meghalaya sports, Sajid Nagi has become the first athlete from...

Modi’s remarks on Bengali ‘asmita’ pack of lies: TMC

KOLKATA, July 18: Dubbing Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s statements during a rally in West Bengal’s Durgapur on Friday...

How visitors grapple with interval curse in England

Manchester, July 18: As India prepares for the fourth Test of the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy at Old Trafford, a...

Root 120 away from becoming 2nd-highest Test run-getter

Manchester, July 18: England’s star batter Joe Root is on the cusp of rewriting Test cricket history as...