Provision of Iran’s water rights by Afghanistan following consultations
Iran’s special representative for Afghanistan, Hassan Kazemi Qomi, has said that in the current solar year, more than 300 million cubic meters of Tehran’s water rights have been provided by Afghanistan following the consultations and agreements made with the caretaker government of Afghanistan.
In an interview with an Iranian media, Mr. Kazemi Qomi added that Iran’s water rights have been provided by the Islamic Emirate due to the repair of the Kamal Khan Dam valves and the dredging of the water transfer route to Sistan.
Iran’s special representative for Afghanistan has also said that according to Iran’s interactive and constructive approach and the commitments of the caretaker government of Afghanistan, it is expected that Iran’s water rights from the Hirmand River will be fully secured by the end of the current water year.
Nematullah Sardarzadeh, an expert on water management issues, said: “It is natural that when we have water, it flows to the neighboring country, and the issue remains of the 300 million cubic meters of water that they have received and hope to receive in the future as well, due to climate change.” »
The Islamic Emirate also stressed on securing Iran’s water rights and said that if the rainfall increases, the Islamic Emirate will provide all of Iran’s water rights.
Zabihullah Mujahid, the spokesman of the Islamic Emirate, told TOLOnews: “Our water reserves have some water, but it is not enough to make up for the drought of several years. We need time, and when the water is managed, Iran’s water will also be paid.”
Motiullah Abid, the spokesperson of the Ministry of Energy and Water, said: “There has been a drought in Afghanistan for years, especially last year there was a lot of drought in the Helmand Sea basin, and our citizens did not have access to drinking water.”
Some experts say that the Islamic Emirate should provide Iran’s water rights in accordance with national interests.
Abdul Mohit Abrar Rahmani, an expert on economic issues, said: “If we cannot meet our water needs, then the national economy will be hit if we pay for water according to the accepted criteria at that time.”
The water treaty between Afghanistan and Iran was signed in 1351 between Musa Shafiq and Amir Abbas Hoyda. Based on this contract, if water is available, Afghanistan must give 26 cubic meters of water to Iran every second.
