[1] Gomal River's headwaters are located in the northern part of Paktika Province, southeast of the city of Ghazni.

The springs which form the headwaters of the Gomal's main branch emerge above the fort at Babakarkol in Katawaz, a district in Paktika inhabited by Ghilji Pashtuns from the Kharoti and Sulaimankhel clans.

Approximately 110 miles from its source, it merges with the Zhob River, its major tributary, near Khajuri Kach.

The river enters the Gomal Valley in Tank District at a place known as Girdavi, which is inhabited by the Miani Pashtuns.

[5] The damming of this river at Khajuri Kachh was envisaged as far back as 1898, even after its administrative approval by the Government of Pakistan in 1963.