Overview of Qosh Tepa Canal
The Qosh Tepa Canal is a significant infrastructure project in Afghanistan aimed at diverting
water from the Amu Darya River for irrigation purposes. Below are the detailed responses to
your queries regarding this project.
1. Current Planned Total Length and Total Budget
The Qosh Tepa Canal is expected to have a total length of 285 kilometers (about 177 miles) and
aims to convert approximately 550,000 hectares of desert into farmland. The total budget
allocated for the canal construction is approximately $684 million.
Aspect Details
Planned total length 285 km
Total Budget $684 million
USAID Involvement No longer involved
2. Specific Construction Team
The construction of the Qosh Tepa Canal is overseen by a team led by the Taliban government,
with specific key figures responsible for various aspects of the project. The two deputy prime
ministers and the interior minister involved in this construction are:
Name Position Responsibility
Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar Deputy Prime Minister for Overseeing the Overall
Economic Affairs Project
Sirajuddin Haqqani Interior Minister Ensuring Security and Safety
of the Project
Both officials have been vocal about their commitments to the timely completion of the canal
and its significance for Afghanistan's agricultural capacity.
3. Funding Source for the Construction of the Canal
The funding for the construction of the Qosh Tepa Canal primarily comes from the Taliban
government's own resources, which include revenue generated from mining and potentially from
selling mining rights. There is evidence suggesting that the Taliban admires a degree of
autonomous financial management, with estimates stating that they may also receive funding
assistance from select external sources, such as Qatar and the UAE.
Funding Aspect Details
Primary Funding Source Taliban Government Funds
Secondary Funding Source Assistance from External Patrons (Qater and
UAE)
USAID Involvement No Longer Involved
1
Summary
In summary, the Qosh Tepa Canal is a major infrastructure initiative in Afghanistan with a
planned length of 285 kilometers and a budget of approximately $684 million. The project is
overseen by key Taliban leaders, including Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar and Sirajuddin
Haqqani. The funding primarily arises from self-generated government revenue, with limited
involvement from external sources of assistance. USAID, previously involved, is no longer
associated with the canal project.
