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Baradar discusses water rights issue with Iran’s energy minister

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Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar, Economic Deputy Prime Minister of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (IEA), met with Iran’s Energy Minister Ali Akbar Mehrabian on Monday to discuss a number of issues including that relating to water management.

In addition to this, the two officials also discussed the need for Iran's technical cooperation in the field of electricity production in Afghanistan, as well as investments, the use of advanced irrigation systems in agriculture, and drought relief programs for both countries. The strengthening of bilateral ties was also discussed.

Baradar said the recent droughts have had a bad effect on water resources in the region, especially in Afghanistan.He said surface and underground water levels have decreased significantly.

“In many areas, people inside the country have been forced to leave their places and some others have been forced to migrate again [due to water shortages],” Baradar said.

Baradar also said that some time ago, a technical delegation of the Islamic Republic of Iran visited the Helmand River area where they agreed that the river’s water level had dropped. According to Mullah Baradar, Afghanistan, which has enough resources to produce hydroelectric power, along with wind, solar and coal-driven power.

Iran’s Minister of Energy, Ali Akbar Mehrabian, said Iran was also struggling with drought-related problems. He did however assure Baradar of Iran’s support in providing technical cooperation in various sectors including electricity production.

This discussion followed Baradar’s earlier meeting with Iran's Minister of Interior, Ahmad Wahidi.

The meeting commenced with the Deputy Prime Minister expressing gratitude to the Iranian government for its unwavering support and assistance to the Afghan people during challenging times.

He noted that Iran has consistently provided aid to Afghans in distress and continues to host millions of Afghan refugees.

He highlighted the importance of further cooperation between the two nations in the areas of economics and security, emphasizing that a stable and prosperous Afghanistan benefits both the region and the world.

He also made a request for handing over Afghan prisoners accused of various crimes in Iran. He reiterated the Islamic Emirate's commitment to enhancing Afghanistan's economic situation, enabling Afghan citizens to lead dignified lives and serve their compatriots within their homeland.

Baradar underlined the priority of combating narcotics, noting significant progress in reducing drug cultivation and trafficking in Afghanistan.

Iran’s Minister of Interior Ahmad Wahidi welcomed the Afghan delegation, highlighting the opportunity for Iran and Afghanistan to strengthen economic and commercial ties.

He emphasized Iran's support for the transit of Afghan products through its territory to boost Afghanistan's exports and asked the Afghan side to share their products for the purpose of marketing in Iran.

Wahidi viewed the settlement of Afghan refugees in Iran as a favorable business opportunity and suggested establishing a joint committee between both countries to address refugee issues.

He further stressed Iran's priorities, which include border security, the establishment of common markets, anti-drug efforts, trade and transit development, and improving the quality of life in border areas.

The meeting encompassed discussions on several key initiatives, including the construction of a railway from Chabahar to Nimruz, Helmand, and Kandahar, the educational opportunities for Afghan students, Iran-China connectivity through Afghanistan, and linking Uzbekistan to the Gulf of Oman via Afghanistan and then Iran.

The Iranian delegation emphasized the importance of establishing a connection with China through Afghanistan, deeming it beneficial for both nations.

Baradar also acknowledged the significance of this initiative and pledged to expedite its implementation.

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Mujahid says IEA stands with media outlets

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The Islamic Emirate’s spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid says the acting government is committed to supporting media outlets and they can operate within the framework of Islamic Sharia and national interests.

Marking World Television Day on Thursday, November 21, Mujahid said: “The Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan supports the media in general. Media can operate within the framework of Islamic Sharia and national interests.”

“As far as we are able, we cooperate with the media and the Afghan media currently have publications and they are broadcasting their publications well,” he added.

The United Nations General Assembly named November 21 as World Television Day in 1996.

“Since IEA’s takeover, of 184 national and local televisions, 57 television stations were shut down due to economic problems,” said Hojatullah Mujadadi, the head of Afghanistan Free Journalists' Association (AFJU).

Currently, about 370 visual, audio and print media are active in the country.

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Baradar says water crisis has negatively impacted relations between nations

Baradar expressed regret that although Afghanistan has vast water resources, effective and professional management has not been carried out in this area.

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Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs, Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar, said on Thursday that the ongoing water crisis in the country has not only made neighboring countries face the problem of water scarcity, but it has also had a negative impact on political and economic relations between Afghanistan and these countries.

Speaking at a seminar held by the Ministry of Energy and Water, Baradar said that although water is a renewable natural resource, the shortage of water due to climate change, the increase in the level of water pollution, the growing demand of the people and its excessive consumption affects the country.

He expressed regret that although Afghanistan has vast water resources, effective and professional management has not been carried out in this area.

“It is now the responsibility of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan to fulfill its national duty for the optimal management of the country’s water resource,” Baradar said.

“With firm determination, we aim to use all available means to ensure sustainable development in water management.”

Last month, the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) also warned that Afghanistan is experiencing a severe water crisis, and if no action is taken, Kabul’s underground water resources could be depleted by 2030.

In a message on X, UNICEF reported that Roza Otunbayeva, head of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA), and Tajudeen Oyewale, head of UNICEF Afghanistan, visited a Kabul district to assess the city's water supply network.

Both officials expressed concern over the worsening water shortage problem in the capital.

"Water is life," UNICEF stated, emphasizing that rapid urbanization and climate change are accelerating the depletion of groundwater in Kabul.

“If we don't act now, we cannot stop this process."

The rapid population growth, unplanned construction of high-rise buildings, urban development without proper planning, and the excessive use of underground water resources are major factors contributing to the decline in both the quantity and quality of groundwater in Kabul.

Although Kabul has faced water shortages for years, the crisis has become more severe in recent times.

However, the Islamic Emirate is making concerted efforts to resolve the problem and thwart the crisis.

Three weeks ago, the office of the Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs, said in a statement that plans to construct a total of 355 water reservoirs across the country were being implemented.

According to the statement, of the 355 dams, a number of them have already been completed and inaugurated while others are under construction.

Of these reservoirs, 138 are being constructed by the Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation, and Livestock; 117 by the Ministry of Water and Energy; and 100 by the Ministry of Rural Rehabilitation and Development.

All of these dams are being funded by the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, the statement read.

The reservoirs are being constructed in numerous provinces to manage rainwater, prevent flooding, strengthen groundwater levels and for use by communities.

Iran’s water share

Late last year, Iranian Energy Minister Ali Akbar Mehrabian warned that if Afghanistan does not ensure Tehran receives its rightful amount of water from Helmand River, Iran will use legal and international means to resolve the problem.

Mehrabian stressed that Helmand River water is Iran's indisputable right, and that Iran takes the matter seriously.

“Water right is Iran's right and it is necessary to release it. Ensuring water rights is not optional, but it is mandatory based on the international treaty of 1351. Pursuing this matter is Iran's absolute right and we will not fail in this regard. The recent rains should cause the release of our water, and if not, we will take serious action based on international laws,” stressed Mehrabian.

At the time, the Islamic Emirate said it was committed to providing Iran with water from the Helmand River but due to drought, there is not enough water in the river to give Iran its share.

The Helmand River Water Treaty was signed between Afghanistan and Iran in 1973, according to which Iran has the right to receive 850 million cubic meters of water from Afghanistan annually.

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Pakistan rejects suggestion of appointing a new special envoy for Afghanistan

Islamabad however continues to accuse Afghanistan of providing safe havens to militant groups that target Pakistan, including Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).

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Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch has dismissed rumors that Islamabad is considering appointing a new special representative for Afghanistan.

Baloch said on Thursday that there was no truth in these reports but that special envoys for Afghanistan from Russia and China had recently visited Pakistan and met with officials.

In August, Pakistan dismissed its special envoy to Afghanistan, Asif Durrani, and has not yet appointed a replacement.

Addressing a weekly briefing on Thursday, Baloch also raised the issue of militant groups in Afghanistan.

She also announced the latest data on Afghan refugees and said so far this year, Pakistan has expelled almost 800,000 undocumented migrants from the neighboring country.

She said the process still continues to ensure a "successful and smooth return" of illegal Afghan nationals.

"Since November 2023 to October 2024, so far 757,008 undocumented Afghans were sent back to Afghanistan," Baloch said, adding that the figure also includes those who returned voluntarily.

According to UN figures, some 1.3 million Afghans are registered refugees in Pakistan, while another 880,000 have legal status to stay.

Pakistan started its crackdown on all foreigners living in the country illegally late last year.

According to Islamabad, the rise in militant attacks led them to making this decision.

Islamabad however continues to accuse Afghanistan of providing safe havens to militant groups that target Pakistan, including Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).

This claim has repeatedly been rejected by the Islamic Emirate, who state they will not allow any group to use Afghan soil against another country.

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