China has accelerated construction on the Mohmand Dam in Pakistan following India’s recent move to suspend the Indus Waters Treaty. The project, seen as vital for Pakistan’s water and energy security, is gaining renewed urgency amid growing regional tensions.
Strategic Response to India’s Action
India’s decision to freeze its participation in the decades-old World Bank-brokered Indus Waters Treaty came after it blamed Pakistan for the deadly Pahalgam incident, despite offering no concrete evidence. In a direct response, China has pushed ahead with infrastructure support for Pakistan, especially under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).
According to Chinese state media CCTV, the Mohmand Dam has reached a critical milestone with the beginning of large-scale concrete filling. This marks a new phase of fast-tracked construction.
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Flagship Project Under CPEC
The dam, located in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, is being built by the China Energy Engineering Corporation. Construction began in 2019, with an initial completion target of 2026. Now, timelines may shift forward as urgency grows.
Pakistani officials regard the Mohmand Dam as a flagship project. It is a multipurpose facility designed to enhance irrigation, control floods, supply drinking water, and produce electricity.
Key Benefits and Capacity
Once complete, the dam will produce 800 megawatts of hydropower and supply 300 million gallons of water daily to Peshawar. Its role in mitigating seasonal floods and supporting agriculture makes it a cornerstone of regional development.
Broader China-Pakistan Cooperation
Besides the Mohmand project, other major collaborations like the Diamer-Bhasha Dam—often called Pakistan’s “Three Gorges Project”—are moving forward. China and Pakistan are also expanding cooperation in industrial zones, agriculture, and social development.
Geopolitical Implications
The fast-tracking of the Mohmand Dam highlights how water security has emerged as a strategic flashpoint in South Asia. It signals China’s deeper alignment with Pakistan at a time when India-Pakistan ties remain fragile.
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