BALOCHISTAN DECLARES SYMBOLIC INDEPENDENCE, SPOTLIGHTS LONG-STANDING STRUGGLE

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN DE MODE

Article Published on: 17TH MAY 2025 | www.demodemagazine.com

Balochistan’s decades-long struggle for autonomy resurfaced this week as Baloch representative Mir Yar Baloch symbolically declared independence from Pakistan. Though largely symbolic, the announcement has reignited global attention on the region’s historical grievances and ongoing unrest.

Once the princely state of Kalat, Balochistan was annexed by Pakistan in 1948, sparking a cycle of insurgencies and resistance movements. Despite being Pakistan’s largest province by area and rich in natural resources, Balochistan remains underdeveloped and heavily militarized. Locals have long voiced opposition to the presence of the Pakistani army and its alleged human rights abuses.

A Baloch rights group, Paank, recently condemned the “enforced disappearances” allegedly carried out by Pakistani forces. Mir Yar Baloch’s post on X hinted at the depth of the issue, quoting a journalist who asked if Balochistan's true independence would begin only after the Pakistani army’s withdrawal from the region. The declaration, though symbolic, amplifies the call for justice.