Afghan Kunar River Diversion Raises Alarm Over Pakistan’s Water Security

Pakistan’s already fragile water situation is set to face fresh pressure as the Taliban-led government in Afghanistan moves ahead with plans to divert water from the Kunar River towards the Nangarhar region. The proposed project has triggered concerns in Islamabad over reduced downstream flows into Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and the risk of renewed strain in Afghanistan–Pakistan relations.

Afghanistan’s Decision on Kunar River Diversion

According to reports, Afghanistan’s Technical Committee of the Economic Commission under the Office of the Prime Minister has approved a proposal to divert water from the Kunar River to the Darunta Dam in Nangarhar. The plan has been forwarded to the Economic Commission for a final decision. Once implemented, the project is expected to ease water shortages across large agricultural tracts in Nangarhar, supporting irrigation and local livelihoods within Afghanistan.

Strategic Importance of the Kunar River

The Kunar River runs for nearly 500 kilometres and originates in the Hindu Kush mountains in Pakistan’s Chitral district in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Flowing south into Afghanistan, it passes through Kunar and Nangarhar provinces before merging with the Kabul River. Along with the Pech River, the combined waters re-enter Pakistan and eventually join the Indus near Attock in Punjab. The river system is a major source of irrigation, drinking water, and hydroelectric power, particularly for Pakistan’s north-western regions.

Potential Impact on Pakistan’s Water Availability

If Afghanistan constructs dams or diversion structures on the Kunar River before it flows back into Pakistan, downstream water availability could be severely reduced. This would directly affect irrigation, drinking water supply, and hydropower generation in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, a region already facing water stress. The impact could be compounded by broader regional water pressures, including reduced flows from other river systems.

What to Note for Exams?

• The Kunar River originates in Pakistan and flows into Afghanistan before re-entering Pakistan.
• The river ultimately joins the Indus near Attock in Punjab.
• Afghanistan plans to divert Kunar River water to the Darunta Dam.
• No formal water-sharing treaty exists between Pakistan and Afghanistan.

Diplomatic and Security Implications

A key concern for Pakistan is the absence of any bilateral water-sharing agreement with Afghanistan, unlike the Indus Waters Treaty governing rivers shared with India. This leaves Islamabad with limited legal or diplomatic options to challenge upstream diversions. Analysts warn that water scarcity linked to the Kunar River project could aggravate political tensions and fuel instability along the Pak-Afghan border, raising fears of renewed friction in an already volatile region.