Afghan diplomat supports water treaty with Pakistan

PESHAWAR (Pajhwok): Peshawar-based Afghan Consul General Prof Moeen Marastial supports a water treaty between Kabul and Islamabad

International and regional water laws could guide the two countries in reaching an agreement on Kabul River water apportionment, he said.

Addressing a conference at Peshawar University’s Area Study Centre, the diplomat said Afghanistan on water issues.

Afghanistan had an agreement with Central Asian republics on the distribution of Amu River water, said the diplomat, who acknowledged a decline in Af-Pak trade.

Prof. Marastial proposed an exchange of scholars and faculty between the Area Study Centre and various universities of Afghanistan.

"I would go a step forward and demand more deliberations and conferences besides talks at government level on refugee issues and trade," the consul-general added.

He called for talks on promoting trade between the neighbours. "Both countries should think why the trade volume between them has declined and how it could be improved."

Peshawar University Vice-Chancellor Dr Mohammad Asif said the Afghan government planned the construction of 12 reservoirs on the Kabul River with financial and technical support from India.

He warned the construction of dams on the river would drastically affect the agriculture sector in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa as the water flow in three tributaries of the river had already fallen by more than 50 per cent.

Former vice-chancellor Dr Azmat Hayat said water resources originating from Afghanistan were important for agriculture in Peshawar valley -- the food basket for the region.

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