Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Asif, once again issuing brazen threats to Afghanistan, warned the Taliban over their plans to construct a dam on the Kunar River, insisting that Kabul “cannot disregard Pakistan’s water rights.”
Speaking to local media, Asif said Islamabad has several “pressure tools” at its disposal and cautioned that the Taliban “won’t even be able to recognise” the consequences if they proceed unilaterally.
His comments come after Taliban leader Hibatullah Akhundzada reportedly ordered Afghanistan’s Ministry of Energy and Water to begin construction of the dam “as soon as possible.”
Afghanistan’s acting Energy Minister, Abdul Latif Mansoor, confirmed that the Taliban intend to move ahead with the project without waiting for foreign investors, and have been directed to sign contracts with domestic firms instead, as per Afghan state media.
Pakistan, however, fears that a large-scale dam on the Kunar River — which flows from Afghanistan into Pakistan — could significantly reduce water flow into its northwestern regions.
The two neighbouring countries currently have no formal water-sharing agreement, leaving Islamabad concerned about potential disruptions to irrigation, drinking water, and hydropower supplies.
The Kunar River is one of the largest tributaries feeding into Pakistan, especially vital to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, where it supports farming and energy generation much like the Indus.
Water officials in Islamabad have warned that any diversion or restriction of its flow could have severe consequences for Pakistan’s already fragile water reserves, which are under great strain due to climate change, poor infrastructure, and chronic mismanagement, even as critical water outlets like the Chenab, Jhelum, and Indus are running low.
Further exacerbating Islamabad’s troubles, India has offered its support to Kabul for the construction of the dam, with the Ministry of External Affairs announcing New Delhi’s full readiness to cooperate with the Taliban on projects aimed at sustainable water management, and its hydropower initiatives.
MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal, during a press conference referred to Afghan Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi’s visit to New Delhi, and pointed at past examples of water cooperation, citing the Salma Dam — now renamed the India–Afghanistan Friendship Dam — as a successful example of past collaboration.
During his interview, Asif also touched on the recent Istanbul talks between Pakistan and the Taliban, confirming that both sides are currently exchanging drafts for a possible agreement. He emphasised that any final deal must be in written form and endorsed by mediators Qatar and Türkiye.
The defence minister added that the Taliban leadership still relies heavily on Qatar, which played a pivotal role in brokering the group’s earlier international negotiations.
“Islamabad will not accept any agreement unless it is formalised and verified by mediators,” Asif said.
