In a move signaling deepening ties and strategic support, China is reportedly accelerating the construction of the Mohmand Dam in Pakistan. This development comes shortly after India's decision to put the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) in abeyance, following a deadly terror attack in Pahalgam on April 22, 2025. The dam is being built by the state-owned China Energy Engineering Corporation.
The Mohmand Dam, located in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province of northwestern Pakistan, is seen as a flagship project under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), a crucial component of China's Belt and Road Initiative. The project, which began in 2019, was initially slated for completion in 2026, but recent developments suggest a push for an earlier finish. Concrete filling on the dam has commenced, marking what Chinese state broadcaster CCTV described as a "critical construction milestone" and an "accelerated development phase."
The dam is designed as a multi-purpose facility with the goals of power generation, flood control, irrigation, and water supply. Once completed, it is expected to generate 800 MW of hydropower and supply 300 million gallons of drinking water per day to Peshawar.
India's decision to suspend the IWT, a 1960 agreement brokered by the World Bank, has heightened tensions in the region. The treaty grants Pakistan the right to use waters from the Indus, Jhelum, and Chenab rivers, while India has rights over the Ravi, Beas, and Sutlej rivers. These rivers constitute approximately 80% of Pakistan's water supply for drinking and agriculture, making water security a vital issue for the country. Following the suspension, Pakistani officials stated that any attempt to block or divert water flow would be considered "an act of war."
China's move to expedite the Mohmand Dam project is widely interpreted as a demonstration of solidarity with Pakistan during this sensitive period. The timing is particularly noteworthy, coinciding with a visit by Pakistan's Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar to Beijing to meet with China's top diplomat, Wang Yi.
Beyond the Mohmand Dam, China and Pakistan are reportedly increasing cooperation across multiple sectors, including industrial development, agriculture, and public welfare projects. The Diamer-Bhasha Dam, another significant bilateral venture on the Indus River, remains a key focus of collaboration between the two nations.
Some reports indicate that India has also begun to expedite and execute various projects on the Chenab and Jhelum rivers. Additionally, India has objected to the construction of the Diamer Bhasha Dam, which is under construction on the Indus River in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.
The developments surrounding the Mohmand Dam and the Indus Waters Treaty reflect the growing geopolitical complexities in the region, with water security emerging as a crucial element of strategic influence.
