The history of the great rivers of South Asia is that of geography, history and shared destiny. China, Pakistan and India can be divided by borders and politics, but they are inextricably linked by a joint water system – the Industry basin. Although dozens of rivers cross the region, they finally belong to three main systems, the Supreme Rider Industry. Originally near Lake Manasarovar in Tibet, the Indus cuts a dramatic course through the Himalayas, flowing in Jammu-et-Cachemire occupied by illegally Indian before entering the Gilgit-Baltistan (GB). From Skardu and Bisham, he moves in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (KP), where the powerful Tarbela dam exploits his waters. Downstream, the Industry brings together the strength of the Kabul river before pressing south through Kalabagh, Chashma and Taunsa, on its way to Mithankot. It is here, in Mithankot, that the industry embraces the waters of its five large tributaries: Le Sutlej, Beas, Ravi, Jhelum and Chenab. Together, they form the Panjnad, which, after a short series of 71 kilometers, merges into the Indus, creating one of the most powerful river systems in the world. From there, the river passes in front of the Guddu, Sukkur and Kotri dams before completing its trip of 3,180 kilometers in the sea of Oman. The importance of these rivers goes beyond geography. They define punjab, literally the "Land of five rivers."
The Beas, Sutlej, Ravi, Jhelum and Chenab not only shape the landscape but also underestimate centuries of civilization, culture and agriculture. However, their courses also highlight the complexities of regional policy. The Sutlej and Ravi both climb into the Indian Punjab, cross Pakistan and end up joining the Chenab. Beas never enter Pakistan independently; Instead, he merges with Sutlej in India, which then crosses the border. The Sutlej, joined by Beas, goes through Harike, Ganda Singh Wala, Sulaimeki and Head Islam, finally reaching Panjnad. The delighted between Pakistan in Jassar via Madhopur, passes in front of Shahdara, Baloki and Sidhna, and merges into the Chenab near Ahmedpur Sial. The Jhelum crosses the cashmere of Azad, via Kohala, Mangla Dam and Rasul, before joining the Chenab in Trimmu in Jhang. The Chenab himself enters Pakistan by the Marala head via Akhnoor, and passes in front of Khanki and Qadirabad, to meet Jhelum, delighted and Sutlej in Panjnad. The Chenab is one of the largest, traveling nearly 960 kilometers before uniting with its sisters. All these rivers form a complex network which is the foundation of the Industry Water Treaty in 1960. For Pakistan, the Indus is nothing less than a rescue buoy. It irrigates the fields, feeds the dams and nourishes the delta before going to the sea. For India and China too, these waters are vital arteries of survival and growth. In a region often divided by politics, the rivers of the Indus basin remind us that nature does not take little over artificial borders. They bind the nations together, silently but powerfully, as they did for millennia.
