In a bold assertion, Razzak Baloch, secretary general of the Baloch American Congress, has declared that Pakistan’s authority in Balochistan is confined to the provincial capital, Quetta, with 70-80% of the region effectively outside Pakistani control. Speaking on May 16, 2025, Baloch urged the international community, particularly India and the United States, to back the Baloch independence movement, citing decades of alleged exploitation and human rights abuses by Pakistan. His remarks come amid escalating tensions between India and Pakistan and a surge in Baloch insurgent activity, including claims of independence by prominent leaders like Mir Yar Baloch.
Razzak Baloch, in an interview with TAG TV, painted a dire picture of Pakistan’s grip on Balochistan, stating that Pakistani forces are unable to venture beyond Quetta after dark due to security fears. He claimed that even elected Pakistani officials have acknowledged this loss of control, with the military avoiding patrols from 5 PM to 5 AM. Baloch highlighted the growing strength of the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA), which has intensified attacks on Pakistani forces, including a recent train hijacking and bombings targeting military convoys. The BLA’s “Operation Herof 2.0” reportedly involved 78 coordinated strikes across 58 locations, signaling a shift from low-intensity conflict to a broader push for sovereignty.
The Baloch independence movement has gained momentum following India’s Operation Sindoor, a May 7, 2025, strike on terror bases in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, which killed around 100 terrorists. Baloch leaders, seizing the moment, have declared the “Republic of Balochistan,” with Mir Yar Baloch urging India to establish a Baloch embassy in New Delhi and calling on the United Nations for peacekeeping forces to oversee the withdrawal of Pakistani troops. Social media has amplified these demands, with hashtags like “Republic of Balochistan” trending alongside images of proposed national flags and maps.
Balochistan, Pakistan’s largest but poorest province, has been a flashpoint since its alleged forced annexation in 1948, following a brief declaration of independence by the princely state of Kalat in 1947. Activists accuse Islamabad of exploiting the region’s gas and mineral wealth while neglecting its people, leaving Balochistan with limited infrastructure and high poverty. Human rights groups report thousands of enforced disappearances and extrajudicial killings, with the Voice for Baloch Missing Persons noting 1,500 bodies recovered since 2009 and 6,000 individuals still missing. The BLA, designated a terrorist group by Pakistan and the U.S., has targeted security forces and Chinese projects under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, further escalating tensions.
Razzak Baloch emphasized that the Baloch struggle is not a proxy war, rejecting Pakistan’s claims of Indian involvement. He called for democratic nations to host Baloch representatives and recognize their fight for self-determination, warning that delays could embolden Pakistan’s “barbarian army.” He also referenced the ongoing detention of activist Mahrang Baloch, whose arrest in March 2025 sparked protests, as evidence of state repression. Baloch suggested that Pakistan’s military should withdraw “with dignity” to avoid a fate similar to its 1971 surrender in Bangladesh.
The declarations have drawn mixed reactions. Baloch leaders like Mir Yar Baloch have expressed solidarity with India, praising Prime Minister Narendra Modi and aligning with India’s stance on Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir. Meanwhile, Pakistan’s leadership, including Balochistan Chief Minister Sarfaraz Bugti, has accused India’s Research and Analysis Wing of funding the BLA, framing the insurgency as a foreign-orchestrated assault on sovereignty. The unrest has also strained Pakistan’s ties with China, as BLA attacks on Chinese projects highlight security challenges.
As Balochistan becomes a powder keg, the independence movement’s growing visibility—bolstered by public protests and militant actions—poses a significant challenge to Pakistan’s stability. With Baloch leaders appealing for global recognition, the region’s future remains uncertain, caught between aspirations for freedom and Islamabad’s efforts to maintain control.
Sponsored
FACTS Transcripts
Apply for a University document anywhere
https://www.factstranscript.com
Quick Transcripts for popular Universities, check your University name now and get started. We help you to get your transcript application online which is accepted for use of IRCC.
No DD, NO Paperwork. 100% Authentic, Reliable.
FACTS Transcripts Charges · Reviews · Assam Universities · Home · Know your University
