Abstract

Freshwater has now become crucial to the livelihood of nations and sub-nations alike due to their needs for food and electricity. Simultaneously, climate change is impacting its provision negatively through droughts, salinity of aquifers and melting of glaciers. Water management between Pakistan and Afghanistan as a colonial heritage and being outdated lacks long-term sustainability. It may not cause overt violence, but it is susceptible to inter and intrastate tensions. This paper reviews the challenges posed to our water resources from the western neighbor and highlights the relevant institutional structure of its governance. It explores relevant theories, laws and conventions to uncover the existing policy regime between Afghanistan and Pakistan. At the end, the paper proposes strengthening of hydro diplomacy for a secure ecosystem in the region.