Balochistan Independence Claim: Baloch Leader Seeks Global Backing
| 2025-05-15
Baloch leader Mir Yar Baloch declares independence from Pakistan, citing decades of human rights abuses. Urges global support and India’s backing.
Baloch Leader Declares Balochistan Independent from Pakistan
A prominent Baloch leader has declared Balochistan independent from Pakistan, calling on India and the wider international community to recognise the region's right to self-determination amid longstanding allegations of state oppression and human rights violations.
Mir Yar Baloch, a political representative advocating for Baloch independence, made the announcement on Wednesday via social media platform X (formerly Twitter), urging the world to reject Pakistan’s claim over the region.
Call for Recognition and Support
In a series of statements posted online, Mir Yar Baloch said the people of Balochistan had delivered their "national verdict" through ongoing protests across the province. He described the declaration as a response to decades of political marginalisation, enforced disappearances, and violent crackdowns by Pakistani authorities.
"Baloch people across Pakistan-occupied Balochistan are on the streets, and this is their national verdict—that Balochistan is not Pakistan," Mir Yar Baloch said, adding that the world must no longer remain silent.
He appealed for recognition from the global community, including the United Nations, and requested India’s support, asking Indian citizens and media to stop referring to the Baloch as part of Pakistan.
Human Rights Concerns in Balochistan
Balochistan, Pakistan’s largest and resource-rich province, has witnessed a low-intensity separatist insurgency for decades. Human rights organisations have long reported abuses in the region, including extrajudicial killings, disappearances, and repression of political activists.
Both Pakistani security forces and separatist armed groups have been accused of committing violations, with civilians frequently caught in the crossfire. Media access to the region remains restricted, making independent verification of claims difficult.
According to human rights monitors, thousands of people have gone missing in Balochistan over the years, with families left without information on their whereabouts. Pakistani officials deny systematic abuses and claim military operations target only armed insurgents.
Backing India’s Stand on Disputed Kashmir
In his declaration, Mir Yar Baloch also expressed support for India’s position on Pakistan-administered Jammu and Kashmir, often referred to in India as Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). He urged international pressure on Islamabad to withdraw from the region, warning of future conflict if the issue remains unresolved.
“Balochistan fully supports India’s demand that Pakistan vacate PoK. The international community must press Islamabad to leave the region to avoid another humiliation like the 1971 surrender in Dhaka,” Mir Yar Baloch stated, referencing the end of the Bangladesh Liberation War when over 90,000 Pakistani troops surrendered to Indian forces.
He further alleged that Pakistan’s military uses residents of the disputed region as “human shields” and placed responsibility for any potential escalation on the country’s leadership.
A History of Strained Relations
Baloch nationalists have long contested Pakistan’s control over the region. Balochistan was a princely state during British colonial rule and was annexed into Pakistan in 1948 following a controversial military intervention. Since then, calls for greater autonomy—or full independence—have periodically flared into violent resistance.
The Pakistani government maintains that Balochistan is an integral part of the country and has accused foreign powers, including India, of fuelling separatist sentiments—claims New Delhi denies.
In 2020, Pakistan accused India of backing Baloch insurgents, an allegation India rejected as baseless. However, India has expressed concern over human rights issues in Balochistan during international forums.
International Silence and Diplomatic Sensitivities
Despite the persistence of the conflict, Balochistan remains a relatively low-profile issue in global diplomacy. While international rights groups have raised concerns, few governments have openly supported the Baloch independence movement, wary of regional sensitivities and broader geopolitical considerations.
Mir Yar Baloch criticised what he called the “silence of the civilised world,” urging democratic nations to stand by the Baloch cause. He accused Pakistan of carrying out “genocide and war crimes” under the eyes of the global community and called for accountability.
Context: Strategic and Economic Importance
Balochistan is strategically located along the Arabian Sea and is home to the deep-water port of Gwadar, a key component of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). The region’s mineral resources and proximity to shipping lanes add to its geopolitical importance.
China has invested heavily in infrastructure projects in the province, prompting criticism from Baloch activists who claim such initiatives marginalise local communities and exacerbate military surveillance.
Security in the province remains volatile. Attacks on infrastructure projects and Chinese personnel have been reported in recent years, leading to heightened military presence and further tensions with local groups.
Conclusion
The declaration of independence by Mir Yar Baloch marks a symbolic escalation in the decades-long Baloch resistance against Islamabad. While the claim lacks international recognition, it highlights growing frustration among activists and the unresolved nature of the conflict in Balochistan.
Calls for international intervention are likely to increase pressure on Pakistan over its human rights record. However, without formal recognition or widespread support, the practical impact of the declaration remains uncertain.
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