Kabul: Hamid Karzai, the former president of Afghanistan, on Saturday said at a New Afghanistan Research and Studies Center (NARSC) conference in Kabul that a large amount of water goes to Iran and Pakistan and that those countries should respect Afghanistan’s water rights.
“The water that is for our neighbors is being given to them. If we have more water, we will give a part of it to our neighbors,” he said.
Karzai said he is worried about water security in future especially in light of climate change.
“We use a huge amount of underground water. In every house there is a deep well. For instance, in the past there was plenty of water in the Chaman-e-Babrak settlement in Kabul. But now that water level has dropped to only about 40 or 50 meters,” Karzai added.
Some parliament members (MPs) however said water resources are also being polluted because townships built during Karzai’s tenure did not include sewer systems for waste water.
“Karzai should have paid attention to the issue during his own presidency. He should have planned in this regard during his 12 years in office,” said Nasrullah Sadiqi Zada Nili, an MP.
According to data provided by NASRC, Afghanistan only uses 30 percent of its total annual natural water.
“Iran does not give us money (for our water). Our water goes to Pakistan without receiving even one Afghani. But Pakistan everyday deports around six to eight thousand Afghan refugees,” said Abdullah Hewad, founder of the NARSC.
Afghanistan has for years been plagued with problems regarding its water going to Iran and Pakistan. Only one agreement has to date been signed with Iran in this respect.http://www.tolonews.com/afghanistan/karzai-voices-concern-over-afghanistan%E2%80%99s-water-security
Karzai Voices Concern Over Afghanistan’s Water Security
Published in Uncategorized
Comments are closed.