Afghanistan’s Taliban regime has taken a leaf from India’s Pakistan playbook: supreme leader Hibatullah Akhundzada has ordered the construction of dams on the Kunar River “as fast as possible”.

The intention is clear: to reduce or restrict the flow of water into Pakistan’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province where it is used for irrigation and drinking water supply. In the long term, such restrictions could also impact the flow of the Indus and affect farming in Punjab province.

The order from the Taliban supremo comes within days of armed clashes with Pakistan that have taken hundreds of lives and saw Kabul being bombed.

It also comes in the wake of the first ever visit by a Taliban leader to India last week. Acting Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi had extensive discussions with his In

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