China has announced that it is speeding up work on the Mohmand Dam in Pakistan, in what appears to be a direct response to recent threats from India to close water supplies. This development was highlighted in a report published by the South China Morning Post.
The Mohmand Dam, situated in the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa region, has been labeled a “flagship” project by Pakistani officials. It holds strategic importance as part of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), a major component of China’s Belt and Road Initiative.
According to Chinese state broadcaster CCTV, a key stage in the construction process has been reached with the beginning of concrete filling, marking what it called a “critical construction milestone.” This signals that the pace of the project has been significantly increased.
The project, being carried out by the state-owned China Energy Engineering Corporation since 2019, was initially expected to be completed by 2026.
However, the timeline appears to have been fast-tracked in light of growing tensions between India and Pakistan.
Reports indicate that India has suspended the World Bank-mediated Indus Waters Treaty following the Pahalgam incident. In turn, China seems to be stepping up its backing of Pakistan through major infrastructure support.
The Mohmand Hydropower Project is envisioned as a multipurpose dam, with plans to control flooding, support irrigation, generate electricity, and supply water.
When completed, it is projected to produce 800 megawatts of power and deliver 300 million gallons of drinking water daily to Peshawar.
In addition to Mohmand, China and Pakistan are strengthening their partnership in other sectors, such as industrial growth, agriculture, and community welfare.
The Diamer-Bhasha Dam, often referred to as Pakistan’s version of the “Three Gorges Project”, is another significant collaboration between the two nations that continues to move forward.
China’s decision to expedite the Mohmand Dam project highlights the shifting regional dynamics, with water resources increasingly becoming a central issue in broader geopolitical strategies.