Afghanistan’s Kunar River Diversion Plan Raises Water Security Concerns for Pakistan

Kunar River Project Could Strain Afghanistan–Pakistan Relations Amid Water Stress

Pakistan’s already fragile water security situation is likely to face additional pressure as the Taliban-led government in Afghanistan moves ahead with plans to divert water from the Kunar River towards the Nangarhar region. The proposal has raised alarm in Islamabad over the potential reduction of downstream flows into Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and the possibility of renewed diplomatic strain between the two neighbours.

Afghanistan’s Decision on Kunar River Diversion

Reports indicate that Afghanistan’s Technical Committee of the Economic Commission , functioning under the Office of the Prime Minister, has approved a plan to divert Kunar River water to the Darunta Dam in Nangarhar province. The proposal has now been forwarded to the Economic Commission for final clearance. Afghan authorities view the project as critical for addressing water shortages, expanding irrigation, and supporting agricultural livelihoods in eastern Afghanistan.

Strategic Importance of the Kunar River

The Kunar River is nearly 500 kilometres long and originates in the Hindu Kush mountains in Pakistan’s Chitral district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. It flows south into Afghanistan through Kunar and Nangarhar provinces , where it joins the Kabul River system . The combined waters later re-enter Pakistan and ultimately merge with the Indus River near Attock in Punjab . The river system is vital for irrigation, drinking water, and hydropower generation in Pakistan’s north-west.

Potential Impact on Pakistan

Any upstream diversion or dam construction by Afghanistan before the river re-enters Pakistan could significantly reduce water availability downstream. This would directly affect agriculture, hydropower projects, and domestic water supply in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, a province already experiencing water stress. Reduced flows from the Kunar could further compound Pakistan’s broader water challenges.

What to Note for Exams?

• The Kunar River originates in Pakistan and flows into Afghanistan before re-entering Pakistan.

• It ultimately joins the Indus River near Attock .

• Afghanistan plans to divert water towards the Darunta Dam .

• There is no formal water-sharing treaty between Pakistan and Afghanistan.

Diplomatic and Security Implications

Unlike India and Pakistan, which are governed by the Indus Waters Treaty , Pakistan and Afghanistan lack a bilateral water-sharing framework. This limits Islamabad’s legal options to contest upstream diversions. Analysts warn that water scarcity linked to the Kunar River project could heighten political tensions and exacerbate instability along the already sensitive Pak–Afghan border.