Pakistan's fragile water system is poised to face increased challenges as the Taliban-led government in Afghanistan advances plans to divert water from the Kunar River towards the Nangarhar region. This proposed initiative has raised concerns in Islamabad regarding decreased downstream water flows into Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and the potential for renewed tensions in Afghanistan-Pakistan relations.
Reports indicate that Afghanistan's Technical Committee of the Economic Commission, operating under the Prime Minister's office, has approved a proposal to direct water from the Kunar River to the Darunta Dam located in Nangarhar. This plan is now pending final approval from the Economic Commission. If executed, the project is expected to alleviate water shortages across significant agricultural areas in Nangarhar, thereby enhancing irrigation and supporting local livelihoods.
The Kunar River, extending nearly 500 kilometers, originates in the Hindu Kush mountains in Pakistan's Chitral district in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Flowing southward into Afghanistan, it traverses through Kunar and Nangarhar provinces before merging with the Kabul River. Together with the Pech River, the combined waters re-enter Pakistan and ultimately converge with the Indus near Attock in Punjab. This river system serves as a vital source of irrigation, drinking water, and hydroelectric power, especially for Pakistan's northwestern regions.
If Afghanistan proceeds with constructing dams or diversion systems on the Kunar River before it returns to Pakistan, the availability of water downstream could be significantly diminished. This reduction would have direct implications for irrigation, drinking water supply, and hydropower production in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, an area already grappling with water stress. The situation could be further exacerbated by wider regional water pressures, including diminished flows from other river systems.
A significant concern for Pakistan lies in the lack of a bilateral water-sharing agreement with Afghanistan, in contrast to the Indus Waters Treaty that governs shared rivers with India. This absence limits Islamabad's legal or diplomatic avenues to contest upstream diversions. Analysts caution that water scarcity related to the Kunar River project could heighten political tensions and destabilize the Pak-Afghan border, raising alarms about renewed friction in an already volatile region.
Q1. What is the Kunar River's significance for Pakistan and Afghanistan?
Answer: The Kunar River is crucial for irrigation, drinking water, and hydroelectric power for both countries. Its diversion could severely impact water availability in Pakistan's Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province.
Q2. What plans does Afghanistan have for the Kunar River?
Answer: Afghanistan plans to divert water from the Kunar River to the Darunta Dam in Nangarhar to address local water shortages for irrigation and agriculture.
Q3. Are there any treaties governing the Kunar River's water use?
Answer: No formal water-sharing treaty exists between Pakistan and Afghanistan regarding the Kunar River, which complicates legal recourse for Pakistan.
Q4. How might the diversion affect Pakistan's water supply?
Answer: The diversion could lead to reduced water availability for irrigation and drinking, exacerbating existing water stress in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
Q5. What are the broader implications of the Kunar River project?
Answer: The project could escalate political tensions and instability along the Pak-Afghan border, further complicating diplomatic relations in the region.
Question 1: What is the primary purpose of the Kunar River diversion project by Afghanistan?
A) To increase water supply for Pakistan
B) To support irrigation in Nangarhar
C) To generate hydroelectric power
D) To establish a bilateral treaty
Correct Answer: B
Question 2: Where does the Kunar River ultimately flow back into Pakistan?
A) Sindh
B) Balochistan
C) Punjab
D) Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
Correct Answer: C
Question 3: Which mountain range is the source of the Kunar River?
A) Himalayas
B) Hindu Kush
C) Western Ghats
D) Karakoram
Correct Answer: B
Question 4: What is a significant concern for Pakistan regarding the Kunar River diversion?
A) Increased agricultural output
B) Improved diplomatic relations
C) Lack of a water-sharing treaty
D) Hydropower generation
Correct Answer: C
Question 5: How long is the Kunar River?
A) 300 kilometers
B) 400 kilometers
C) 500 kilometers
D) 600 kilometers
Correct Answer: C
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