Importance of Data in the Management of Kabul River Basin
Dr. Muhammad Iqbal
PhD. International Relations, University of the Punjab, Lahore, National Bank of Pakistan, East Region, Lahore, Pakistan
Correspondence: iqbal_lps@hotmail.com
Iqbal, M. (2025). Importance of data in the management of Kabul river Basin. Social Sciences Spectrum, 4(4), 471-488. https://doi.org/10.71085/sss.04.04.428
Abstract
Effective transboundary water management depends on data availability, but its shortage and non-sharing are main hurdles in the management of Kabul River Basin shared by Afghanistan and Pakistan. Accurate and timely shared data is necessary for managing droughts, floods, agricultural planning, irrigation arrangements, climate adaptation, dams’ operation, river control structures, negotiations etc. It provides overall understanding regarding effects of upstream and downstream water use, fosters participative decision making and mitigates conflicts. The article emphasizes that both countries should not be critical and consider each other concerns. Therefore, Coordinated and integrated system of data exchange is necessary for equitable and durable management of Kabul River Basin.
1. Introduction
The data is an important tool of transboundary water cooperation which promotes transparency, fairness, reliance, harmony and enhances meaningful engagements between riparian countries. It serves as the backbone of viable transboundary water management.
Data provides basic information of the river basin for day to day management of storage, irrigation, hydro power generation along with successful execution of projects and investment plans of medium and large infrastructure etc. (Rasooli & Kang, 2015). It helps to assess the effects of irrigation, municipal, industrial and hydro-power uses of available water in a basin. It improves functionality of ecosystem and supports climate adaptation (Singh, 2017).
Data exchange plays an effective role in the decision-making process of a shared watercourse and facilitates transboundary dialogues and cooperation (Loodin, Eckstein, Singh & Sanchez, 2024). It addresses needs, common issues of riparian countries and supports participative decision making which leads to formal agreements and benefits sharing treaties.
Dr. Gul Afghan Saleh (President, Gul Engineering PLLC Alexandria, USA and former USAID, Senior Project Manager of Water & Energy in Afghanistan from May 2003 to July 2014) is of the view that the strategic importance of data sharing in Kabul River Basin management is indispensable—not only as a technical enabler of evidence-based decision-making, but also as a foundational pillar for climate resilience, trans-boundary cooperation, and sustainable resource governance. In a basin marked by geopolitical sensitivities and increasing hydrological variability, the ability to exchange timely, accurate, and interoperable data is critical for managing floods, droughts, and agricultural cycles. The global best practices show, data transparency is not merely a technical asset—it is a trust-building mechanism that underpins collaborative planning, energy optimization, and long-term ecological stewardship. (Email communication, October 26, 2025).
The long term transboundary water cooperation requires steady supply and exchange of data. Due to trust deficit situation, there is no mechanism to exchange data and information between Pakistan and Afghanistan. This distrust confounds issue as Pakistan apprehends Afghanistan up stream control while Afghanistan opposes perceived dominance of Pakistan. Due to such absence of data exchange, both countries are wasting the opportunities of expected development and progress in Kabul River Basin (Iqbal, 2020).
The article discusses the crucial role of data sharing in promoting trust, supporting collaboration, facilitating quality decision-making, reducing chances of conflicts, strengthening sustainable transboundary water resource management and cooperation.
To read the full article please click on
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Importance of Data in the Management of Kabul River Basin
Dr. Muhammad Iqbal
PhD. International Relations, University of the Punjab, Lahore, National Bank of Pakistan, East Region, Lahore, Pakistan
Correspondence: iqbal_lps@hotmail.com
Iqbal, M. (2025). Importance of data in the management of Kabul river Basin. Social Sciences Spectrum, 4(4), 471-488. https://doi.org/10.71085/sss.04.04.428
Abstract
Effective transboundary water management depends on data availability, but its shortage and non-sharing are main hurdles in the management of Kabul River Basin shared by Afghanistan and Pakistan. Accurate and timely shared data is necessary for managing droughts, floods, agricultural planning, irrigation arrangements, climate adaptation, dams’ operation, river control structures, negotiations etc. It provides overall understanding regarding effects of upstream and downstream water use, fosters participative decision making and mitigates conflicts. The article emphasizes that both countries should not be critical and consider each other concerns. Therefore, Coordinated and integrated system of data exchange is necessary for equitable and durable management of Kabul River Basin.
1. Introduction
The data is an important tool of transboundary water cooperation which promotes transparency, fairness, reliance, harmony and enhances meaningful engagements between riparian countries. It serves as the backbone of viable transboundary water management.
Data provides basic information of the river basin for day to day management of storage, irrigation, hydro power generation along with successful execution of projects and investment plans of medium and large infrastructure etc. (Rasooli & Kang, 2015). It helps to assess the effects of irrigation, municipal, industrial and hydro-power uses of available water in a basin. It improves functionality of ecosystem and supports climate adaptation (Singh, 2017).
Data exchange plays an effective role in the decision-making process of a shared watercourse and facilitates transboundary dialogues and cooperation (Loodin, Eckstein, Singh & Sanchez, 2024). It addresses needs, common issues of riparian countries and supports participative decision making which leads to formal agreements and benefits sharing treaties.
Dr. Gul Afghan Saleh (President, Gul Engineering PLLC Alexandria, USA and former USAID, Senior Project Manager of Water & Energy in Afghanistan from May 2003 to July 2014) is of the view that the strategic importance of data sharing in Kabul River Basin management is indispensable—not only as a technical enabler of evidence-based decision-making, but also as a foundational pillar for climate resilience, trans-boundary cooperation, and sustainable resource governance. In a basin marked by geopolitical sensitivities and increasing hydrological variability, the ability to exchange timely, accurate, and interoperable data is critical for managing floods, droughts, and agricultural cycles. The global best practices show, data transparency is not merely a technical asset—it is a trust-building mechanism that underpins collaborative planning, energy optimization, and long-term ecological stewardship. (Email communication, October 26, 2025).
The long term transboundary water cooperation requires steady supply and exchange of data. Due to trust deficit situation, there is no mechanism to exchange data and information between Pakistan and Afghanistan. This distrust confounds issue as Pakistan apprehends Afghanistan up stream control while Afghanistan opposes perceived dominance of Pakistan. Due to such absence of data exchange, both countries are wasting the opportunities of expected development and progress in Kabul River Basin (Iqbal, 2020).
The article discusses the crucial role of data sharing in promoting trust, supporting collaboration, facilitating quality decision-making, reducing chances of conflicts, strengthening sustainable transboundary water resource management and cooperation.
To read the full article please click on
^
