Dhaka, Oct. 24 -- Afghanistan is planning to build a dam on the Kunar River to restrict the flow of water into Pakistan, following India's example of suspending water sharing under the Indus Waters Treaty earlier this year.

The move comes under the instruction of Taliban Supreme Leader Mawlawi Hibatullah Akhundzada, who has ordered that the dam be built "as soon as possible", NDTV reported, citing a post on X by Afghanistan's acting Water Minister Mullah Abdul Latif Mansoor.

In his post, the minister said "Afghans have the right to manage their own water" and that construction would be led by domestic firms rather than foreign.

The decision comes amid renewed tensions along the Durand Line, the disputed 2,600-km border between Afghanis...