China accelerates Mohmand dam construction as India threatens to cut water supply amid rising tensions in the region.
China has announced it is speeding up construction of the Mohmand Dam in Pakistan, a move reportedly driven by India’s recent threats to cut water supplies.
Situated in Pakistan’s Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa province, the Mohmand Dam is considered a flagship initiative by Pakistani officials and plays a central role in the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), part of China’s Belt and Road Initiative.
Chinese state broadcaster CCTV reported that concrete filling has begun at the dam site, marking a major construction milestone. The project, being built by the state-owned China Energy Engineering Corporation since 2019, was originally scheduled for completion in 2026.
The pace of construction has intensified amid rising tensions between India and Pakistan. Following the Pahalgam incident, India has reportedly suspended the Indus Waters Treaty, prompting China to increase its strategic infrastructure backing for Pakistan.
The Mohmand Dam is a multipurpose hydropower project intended to address flood control, irrigation, electricity generation, and urban water needs. Once operational, it will provide 800 MW of electricity and 300 million gallons of drinking water daily to Peshawar.
In addition to the Mohmand project, China and Pakistan are expanding cooperation in areas such as industrial development, agriculture, and social welfare. Another significant joint venture is the Diamer-Bhasha Dam, dubbed Pakistan’s “Three Gorges Project.”
China’s decision to fast-track the Mohmand Dam highlights shifting geopolitical dynamics, where water security is becoming a critical component of regional strategy and influence.
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