Zulfiqar Ahmad
ISLAMABAD, Oct 24, 2025: In a retaliatory move following the Afghan regime’s decision to construct dams on the Kunar River, blocking water flow to Pakistan, Islamabad is contemplating diverting the flow of the Chitral River through a tunnel within its own territory.
This decision comes in direct response to Afghanistan’s controversial move to construct dams on the Kunar River, which originates in Chitral, crosses into Afghanistan, and then returns to Pakistan – a vital water source for the country.
Official sources told ChitralToday the diversion plan envisaged years ago was a significant countermeasure to Afghanistan’s proposed dam at the confluence of the Kunar and Kabul rivers, a project that Pakistan views as a direct threat to its water security. The sources said that in the past a survey had been conducted in Chitral to execute the plan of diverting the river water towards or Swat or Dir, but the project was shelved.
The Kunar River, known as the Kabul River once it re-enters Pakistan, is critical to the agricultural and domestic water supply of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, a province heavily reliant on the river for irrigation and drinking water. Sources familiar with the matter have indicated that Pakistan’s decision follows growing concerns over Afghanistan’s intentions.
The Taliban-led administration in Kabul has been advancing plans to build the dam, which Pakistani officials argue could drastically reduce the flow of water into their country, putting millions at risk.
Although Pakistan had been aware of Afghanistan’s intentions for some time, the situation escalated after former Afghan President Hamid Karzai suggested the possibility of obstructing the river’s flow – a move that Pakistan has long feared.
Afghanistan has defended the dam project, asserting that it is essential to meet the country’s own water demands, especially in light of increasing water scarcity. However, Pakistani officials have expressed deep misgivings, warning that the dam would have severe consequences for the people of Pakistan, particularly those in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa districts who depend on the river’s consistent flow.
In response, Pakistan’s government has moved to secure its water supply by rerouting the Chitral River, with the aim of ensuring uninterrupted water flow into the country. This decision underscores the longstanding and contentious nature of water disputes between the two neighbouring countries, a critical issue in South Asia.
The Taliban’s Ministry of Water and Energy has confirmed that the design for the dam is complete, with construction expected to commence once funding is secured. Taliban Supreme Leader Mullah Hibatullah Akhundzada has urged for rapid progress on the project, advocating for the involvement of local companies rather than foreign contractors.
The escalating dispute has raised concerns within the international community about the future of relations between the two nations. It remains unclear whether the Taliban consulted Pakistan prior to advancing the dam project, or whether any formal agreements exist between the two countries on the management of shared water resources.