The Indus River originates in the southwestern Tibet Autonomous Region of China near Lake Mansarovar and Mount Kailash at an elevation of about 5,300–5,500 meters (around 18,000 feet)

. From there, it flows northwest through the disputed Kashmir region, passing through the Indian-administered Ladakh and then into the Pakistani- administered Gilgit-Baltistan

. After bending sharply near the Nanga Parbat massif, it flows southward through Pakistan, eventually emptying into the Arabian Sea near the port city of Karachi

. In summary, the Indus River flows through three countries: China (Tibet), India (Ladakh region), and Pakistan, covering about 1,900 to 2,000 miles (3,050 to 3,180 km) in length

. It is the longest river in Pakistan and a crucial water source for agriculture and human settlements in the region