In a recent announcement, Afghanistan's interim government has declared its intention to see the price of water surpass that of gasoline within the next decade. This revelation, made by Abbas Stanekzai, the political deputy of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Taliban, has sparked discussions about the nation's water management policies and their potential regional implications.
Stanekzai highlighted the abundance of water resources in Afghanistan, asserting that the Taliban has the capacity to control the country's water. The statement aligns with the views expressed by Farooq Azam, an adviser to the Ministry of Energy and Water of Afghanistan, who emphasized that proper water management could position Afghanistan as a key supplier to neighboring countries facing water shortages.
However, concerns have been raised, particularly regarding the proposed Koshtepa channel. Zabihullah Mujahid, the Taliban's spokesperson, assured that Uzbekistan would not be negatively impacted by the canal, insisting it would be mutually beneficial. Contrary to this assurance, some experts argue that the completion of the canal could potentially escalate regional conflicts. The channel directs water from the Amudarya River to the Uzbekistan border, and given Afghanistan's heavy reliance on Uzbekistan for electricity imports, there are fears that this project could strain diplomatic relations.
The impact of climate change on water resources is also a significant factor. Uzbekistan is already grappling with a 15% loss of water due to climate change, and concerns are raised that the completion of the Koshtepa canal could exacerbate the situation, leading to an additional 10% loss. This scenario would result in a significant 25% reduction in Uzbekistan's available water.
Najibullah Sadid, an expert on water management, stressed that Afghanistan has the legal right to utilize the Amudarya water, citing international conventions that grant the country ownership of 27-30% of the river's water.
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