Balochistan Independence Day: Separatist leader Mir Yar Baloch seeks global recognition for ‘Republic of Balochistan’
PTC Web Desk: A Baloch separatist leader has called on the international community to recognise what he described as the “Republic of Balochistan” as an independent country, as supporters marked August 11 as Balochistan’s Independence Day.
Mir Yar Baloch made the appeal in a message posted on X, claiming that Balochistan was an independent nation and should no longer be described as a province of Pakistan.
The claim, however, is not recognised by Pakistan or the international community. Balochistan remains internationally recognised as a province of Pakistan.
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In his message, Mir Yar Baloch urged countries and international organisations to change the way they refer to Balochistan. He called for what he described as continued “moral support” for the people of Balochistan and argued that international recognition was necessary for the region’s independence movement.
The statement also thanked international media organisations, including outlets in India, along with researchers and think tanks that it said had helped bring the Balochistan issue to global attention.
The group urged governments and international organisations to recognise Balochistan as an independent country rather than referring to it as a province of Pakistan.
The statement claimed that the proposed “Republic of Balochistan” would take responsibility for areas, including foreign policy, defence, economic affairs, politics and diplomacy. It also said preparations were underway for the creation of institutions associated with an independent state.
These, according to the statement, could include passports, a separate currency, media organisations, trade and commerce institutions and diplomatic missions. The group further claimed that efforts were being made to bring different sections of Baloch political leadership together.
Mir Yar Baloch linked the independence claim to events surrounding the end of British rule in the Indian subcontinent. According to his statement, Balochistan declared independence on August 11, 1947, shortly before the partition of British India.
The group said its current campaign was no longer limited to declaring independence and was instead focused on obtaining international recognition.
It appealed to member states of the United Nations, ASEAN, the African Union, the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation and European countries to support its position.
The statement also alleged that Pakistani authorities had taken security measures to prevent people from observing August 11 as Independence Day. The group claimed that mobile and internet services had been suspended in parts of Balochistan.
It also alleged that trenches had been dug around military cantonments and police stations in areas, including Kalat, Quetta and Khuzdar.
The statement further alleged that Pakistani military aircraft, drones and helicopters were carrying out surveillance operations in different parts of the region.
These allegations were made by the Baloch group and could not be independently verified from the information available.
Balochistan’s international status
Balochistan is Pakistan’s largest province by area and is home to significant natural resources. The region has witnessed a long-running separatist insurgency, with several Baloch groups demanding greater autonomy or independence.
However, the declaration of an independent “Republic of Balochistan” has no international recognition, and Balochistan continues to be internationally recognised as part of Pakistan.
- With inputs from agencies
