ISLAMABAD, Oct 24, 2025: In a move resembling its regional ally India, the Taliban regime in Afghanistan has announced plans to build dams on the Kabul River, which flows toward Pakistan. This initiative, authorized under the special directive of the Taliban’s supreme leader, represents a bold step in Afghanistan’s strategy to gain greater control over its water resources. Experts suggest that Afghanistan’s decision may be influenced by India’s recent actions concerning water resource management.
Afghanistan’s Ministry of Energy and Water has begun formal planning for the project, with a particular focus on dam construction in Kunar province. The ministry stated that the Amir al-Mu’minin (Supreme Leader) has issued orders for the immediate commencement of construction where feasible, signaling the regime’s determination to harness the country’s vital water resources.
Mullah Abdul Latif Mansoor, Afghanistan’s Minister of Energy, asserted that the Afghan people have an inalienable right to manage their own water resources and use them for the benefit of the nation. He also highlighted the importance of signing agreements with both local and international companies to ensure the timely and efficient execution of the projects.
The Kabul River, which originates from Pakistan’s Chitral River, flows through Afghanistan before re-entering Pakistan as the Kabul River. This unique geographical flow makes water resource management in the region particularly sensitive, requiring close cross-border cooperation between the two countries.
The move comes amid heightened regional tensions, as India has recently suspended the **Indus Waters Treaty**, an agreement that governs the sharing of water from rivers that flow between India and Pakistan. India’s actions have triggered alarm in Pakistan, particularly regarding the construction of dams on rivers that ultimately flow into Pakistan. Some analysts believe Afghanistan’s decision to build dams on the Kabul River could be a direct response to India’s actions, potentially exacerbating water-related tensions in the region.
Experts warn that the construction of dams in Afghanistan, particularly along the Kabul River, could severely impact water availability in Pakistan—especially in regions heavily dependent on the Kabul and Chitral rivers for irrigation and drinking water. This development adds another layer of complexity to the already fragile relations between Afghanistan, Pakistan, and India, with water resource management emerging as a key source of geopolitical friction.