China is rapidly advancing the Mohmand Hydropower Project in Pakistan amid escalating tensions with India over water resources—marking a major geopolitical shift in the region. The acceleration comes in response to India’s recent move to suspend the Indus Waters Treaty, following the Pahalgam incident, sparking alarm over Pakistan’s water security.
Mohmand Hydropower Project Location
The Mohmand Hydropower Project, located in the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa province, dubbed a flagship initiative under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC)—a critical piece of China’s wider Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). Now, construction fast-tracked by the state-owned China Energy Engineering Corporation, with recent reports confirming a major milestone: the commencement of concrete filling.
Mohmand Hydropower Project: A Strategic Game-Changer
Originally scheduled for completion in 2026, the Mohmand Hydropower Project pushed ahead at full speed. The dam designed as a multipurpose facility that will:
- Generate 800 MW of clean electricity
- Supply 300 million gallons per day of drinking water to Peshawar
- Improve flood control and irrigation across the region
With water emerging as a core issue in South Asia’s geopolitical chessboard, the Mohmand Hydropower Project is not just as an energy or infrastructure initiative, but as a long-term strategic asset for Pakistan.
Water Security Now Central to CPEC Vision
China’s commitment to the Mohmand Hydropower Project underscores a shift in CPEC’s priorities—from trade and transport to climate resilience and water security. As India tightens its grip on upstream rivers, Pakistan is banking on strategic dams like Mohmand and Diamer-Bhasha to ensure sustainable water flow for its population and agriculture.
Beyond Energy: A Broader China-Pakistan Alliance
China and Pakistan are deepening their alliance beyond dams. Alongside the Mohmand Hydropower Project, both countries are collaborating on industrial development, agriculture, infrastructure, and public welfare. However, with water scarcity becoming a global concern, the spotlight is now firmly on hydropower and storage solutions.
The Mohmand Hydropower Project is already being viewed as a model for future projects that balance energy needs, water conservation, and regional stability.
With tensions flaring between India and Pakistan, the fast-tracked Mohmand Hydropower Project is much more than just a dam. It symbolizes resilience, strategy, and the growing role of water in regional power dynamics. As China doubles down on support, Pakistan’s water and energy future is being reshaped—one megawatt and one gallon at a time.
