Balochistan Movement Gains Steam; Maps, Flags Of 'Independent Nation' Go Viral
The Balochistan independence movement has gained steam once again after Baloch leaders declared independence from Pakistan citing decades of violence, enforced disappearances, and human rights violations in the region.
'Republic of Balochistan' has been trending on social media as images of a proposed national flag and maps of the independent Baloch state went viral.
Prominent Baloch activist and writer Mir Yar Baloch said that people across Pakistan-occupied Balochistan took to the streets and voiced the demand for independence with widespread protests and declared that "Balochistan is not Pakistan," reported All India Radio.
Mir also urged the international community and the United Nations to recognise the "Democratic Republic of Balochistan" as a sovereign state.
Afghan Leader Condemns Pakistan's Action
Member of Afghanistan's Parliament in exile, Mariam Solaimankhil has sharply criticised Pakistan's military establishment for abuses including forced disappearances and suppression of peaceful activists.
She dubbed the situation to be "forced colonisation, forced occupation", contrary to Pakistan's claim of counter-insurgency.
"I think everyone is sick of a military dictatorship that they're living under," she told ANI in an interview.
"In Balochistan, we have peaceful nonviolent activists like Dr Mahang Baloch, who's in prison, but people like Osama bin Laden and the leaders of Lashkar e Taiba are allowed to roam freely within the country," she added.
What Is The Balochistan Issue?
The rocky southwestern province of Pakistan, Balochistan has been a hotbed of a decades-long insurgency by separatist militant groups. The region witnesses frequent attacks against the government, army and Chinese interests in the region.
The separatists also demand a share in the mineral-rich resources.
The Baloch Liberation Army (BLA), the biggest of the various ethnic insurgent groups — seeks secession from Balochistan. BLA accuses the Pakistan government of unfairly exploiting Balochistan's rich gas and mineral resources.
In March, a train with 450 passengers was hijacked and the BLA claimed responsibility for the attack.
world