Bhubaneswar:
In a dramatic development, leaders of the Baloch nationalist movement have declared
Balochistan an independent republic, claiming the province is no longer part of Pakistan. Although the declaration has not been recognized internationally and no formal structures of statehood have been established, the announcement marks a significant escalation in the decades-long struggle for Baloch self-determination.In statements released through social media and nationalist platforms, Baloch leaders asserted that Pakistani forces stationed in the region represent a foreign occupation. “We are no longer a part of Pakistan. Balochistan is a sovereign nation, and we reject the authority of an occupying military,” one statement read. The independence call has sparked widespread reaction online, with hashtags like #BalochFreedom and #IndependentBalochistan trending across platforms such as X and Instagram. Supporters have shared flags, messages of solidarity, and historical references to the region’s disputed integration into Pakistan in 1948. Despite the bold declaration, there is currently no indication of administrative or territorial control shifting on the ground. Pakistani authorities have not issued a formal response, but security measures have reportedly increased in several areas of Balochistan, including Quetta and Gwadar. Political analysts caution that this may be part of a broader symbolic campaign rather than an immediate shift in governance. “These declarations, especially when amplified through social media, can galvanize support and reignite nationalist fervor. But without international recognition or military control, they remain aspirational,” said Aamir Shah, a political analyst
based in Lahore. Balochistan has long been the center of political unrest, fueled by allegations of state neglect, resource exploitation, and human rights abuses. Periodic insurgencies have challenged federal
authority since the early 2000s, often met with military crackdowns. While this latest declaration may not immediately alter the status quo, it underscores the deep and unresolved tensions in the region tensions that, despite cycles of calm, continue to resurface with renewed urgency.
-OdishaAge
