Not quite sure what to make of this story yet since it only seems to be getting reported in Indian news sources thus far, but something important may be developing in Pakistan’s southwestern province of Baluchistan, where a decades long struggle for greater autonomy and/or independence may be entering a dramatic new phase. From one of the more reliable sources, the Statesman:
'Balochistan not Pakistan': Baloch leader declares independence from Pakistan, seeks support from India and global community
Baloch representative Mir Yar Baloch on Wednesday declared independence from Pakistan, citing decades of violence, enforced disappearances, and human rights violations in the region.
In a post on X, he said the people of Balochistan have given their “national verdict” and that the world must no longer stay silent.
“Tum Maroge Hum Neklengy, Hum Nasal Bachany Nekly Hain, Aao Hamara Sath Do. Baloch people across Pakistan Occupied Balochistan are up on streets and this is their national verdict that Balochistan Is Not Pakistan and world can’t be a silent spectator any more,” he said.
https://x.com/miryar_baloch/status/1922595396099944845
He also urged Indian citizens, especially media, YouTubers, and intellectuals, to avoid calling Balochs “Pakistan’s own people.”
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Mir Yar Baloch also expressed full support for India’s stand on Pakistan-occupied Jammu Kashmir (PoJK). He urged the international community to pressure Pakistan to vacate the region.
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According to Mir Yar Baloch, the world must not accept Pakistan’s narrative on Balochistan, which, he said, was forcibly annexed with the involvement of foreign powers.
A reference to the 1947 partition of British India I presume, since both Balochs and Kashmiris probably preferred independence to annexation by either India or Pakistan.
Balochistan has long witnessed serious human rights violations. These include enforced disappearances, extrajudicial killings, and silencing of dissent. Both Pakistani security forces and armed groups have been accused of abuses.
Typical of the hyperbolic reporting in the Indian press was this supposed ‘report’ from last week in the Republic world:
Baloch Rebels Capture Quetta, Pakistani Army Booted Out: Reports
Quetta: The Balochistan Liberation Army has claimed that their fighters have taken control of Quetta, pushing Pakistani army out of Balochistan as the country is being surrounded on multiple front as Islamabad and Rawalpindi is escalating situation with India.
I think that probably would have gotten the attention of Western media if it had actually happened. OTOH, there was this actual terror attack today (by the BLA?) in Quetta, as reported by the Daily Times (Pakistan):
A powerful explosion struck near the convoy of Balochistan Member of Provincial Assembly (MPA) Ali Madad Jatak in Quetta on Tuesday, killing one person and injuring ten others. According to police, the blast occurred on Sariab Road as the convoy was heading towards a victory celebration. Fortunately, MPA Jatak escaped unharmed, but several others sustained injuries in the explosion.
