Taliban regime plans dam on river that feeds Indus

THE DEVELOPMENT COMES AGAINST THE BACKDROP OF MORE THAN A WEEK OF FIGHTING BETWEEN AFGHAN AND PAKISTANI TROOPS

- Rezaul H Laskar

The Taliban regime in Afghanistan has unveiled plans to build dams on the Kunar river, a move that could restrict water flows to Pakistan’s Indus river, with the development coming days after deadly border clashes between Afghan and Pakistani troops.

The Taliban's supreme leader, Hibatullah Akhundzada, issued the order for building dams on the Kunar river “as fast as possible”, according to social media posts by Taliban leaders. Akhundzada directed Afghanistan’s water and energy ministry to sign contracts with Afghan companies to build the dams, instead of waiting for foreign firms.

The Taliban's deputy information minister, Mujahid Farahi, announced Akhundzada’s directives on social media on Thursday. The Taliban's water and power Minister of Abdul Latif Mansoor also said that “Afghans have the right to manage their own water resources”.