Dipesh Shrestha:
Balochistan, Pakistan’s largest province, has declared its independence from the country. Already grappling with inflation, poverty, and mounting foreign debt, Pakistan now faces a deeper crisis that has pushed it to the brink of its most significant split since 1971.
Baloch leader Mir Yar Baloch officially announced Balochistan’s independence from Pakistan on Wednesday, citing decades of violence, abductions of Baloch citizens, and human rights violations as key reasons behind the declaration.
Posting on social media platform X, he stated, “The people of Balochistan have made their national decision, and the world can no longer remain silent.” He appealed to the international community for support. Mir Yar Baloch is a writer, independent journalist, human rights activist, and representative of the “Azad Balochistan Movement.” In addition to declaring independence, he called on the United Nations to convene an emergency session to recognize Balochistan as a sovereign nation.
He urged the UN to establish a multi-billion-dollar fund for developing infrastructure, creating a separate currency and passport system for Balochistan, and to deploy international peacekeeping forces to protect Baloch people from Pakistani repression. Although his claims were made public on social media, Balochistan remains officially part of Pakistan.
The main group advocating for Balochistan’s independence, the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA), continues its armed struggle. On March 11, the group hijacked the Jaffar Express train traveling from Quetta to Peshawar, which had 440 passengers on board.
Following that incident, Pakistani forces launched a heavy crackdown on the BLA, resulting in casualties on both sides. The BLA reportedly has over 5,000 armed fighters who have repeatedly targeted Pakistani military installations. Pakistan declared the BLA a terrorist organization in 2006.
The group is currently led by Bashir Zeb, who rose to the position of commander-in-chief after Aslam Baloch was assassinated in Kabul in 2018. Under Zeb’s leadership, the Baloch independence movement has intensified.
Another major group fighting for Balochistan’s independence is the Balochistan Liberation Front (BLF), established in 1964 by Jumma Khan. Once considered the most powerful faction in the independence movement, many of its fighters later merged with the BLA. The BLF is known for ambush-style attacks against Pakistani forces and sabotage of gas pipelines and railway lines.
Other organizations like the Free Balochistan Movement, Balochistan National Movement, and the Balochistan Republican Party are also active in the struggle against Pakistan.
Alongside Mir Yar Baloch, another key figure in the movement is Dr. Mahrang Baloch, a member of the Baloch Yakjehti Committee. Her father was abducted in 2009 and his body was found two years later. In 2017, her brother was also abducted but later released due to public pressure. In March, Mahrang was arrested and imprisoned by Pakistani authorities.
Balochistan contributes over 40% of Pakistan’s natural gas and is rich in copper and gold reserves, yet its economy remains underdeveloped. The Baloch people’s language, culture, and identity are distinct from the rest of Pakistan, where Urdu and Punjabi are dominant, while Balochi is spoken in Balochistan.
