Afghanistan advances Kunar River diversion project threatening Pakistan water supply

Key facts

• Afghanistan’s technical committee has approved a proposal to transfer water from the Kunar River to the Darunta Dam in Nangarhar.
• The Kunar River originates in Pakistan’s Chitral district, flows into Afghanistan, then re-enters Pakistan to join the Kabul River which merges with the Indus near Attock.
• Pakistan has no formal water-sharing agreement or arbitration mechanism with Afghanistan concerning transboundary rivers.