On the occasion of Baloch Martyrs’ Day, the Baloch National Movement (BNM) organized a seminar in the Netherlands. Representatives from both the Baloch National Movement and the Pashtun Tahafuz Movement (PTM) attended the event and spoke about the enduring legacy of Baloch martyrs.
Speakers emphasized that it is the moral and national duty of Baloch youth to understand the mission for which the martyrs laid down their lives — to carry it forward and to promote their national identity at every level.
Among the speakers were BNM Netherlands Chapter President Muheem Abdul Rahim, Vice President Waheed Baloch, Dr. Lateef, Abdul Waheed Baloch, Jamal Baloch, Mohammad Muheem, Basit Zaheer, Asa Bajar, Salar Baloch, Saif Ubaid, Saleema Abid Jan Qadir, Abdul Rahman, and PTM Europe Coordinator Malik Bazai.
They said that the sacrifices of Baloch martyrs were not impulsive reactions to oppression, but expressions of a deep and organized national consciousness. The martyrs proved that no force of tyranny or oppression can suppress a nation’s will to live with dignity and freedom.
The speakers highlighted that the land of Balochistan is sanctified by the blood of countless known and unknown sons and daughters who kept alive the dream of freedom, justice, and honor for future generations.
They reminded the audience that 13 November is not merely a day of remembrance, but a symbol of an enduring ideology, commitment, and continuity. It serves as a reminder that the struggle for freedom demands sacrifice — and the martyrs of Balochistan laid the foundation of that dream with their lives.
The speakers recalled that on 13 November 1839, British forces invaded Baloch territory. In defense of their homeland, Khan of Kalat, Mir Mehrab Khan, and his companions fought the powerful British army with exceptional bravery and attained martyrdom — becoming immortal in the nation’s history. Though they are no longer physically among us, their vision and ideology remain alive.
They said that Khan Mehrab Khan’s sacrifice did not merely mark a historic event, but gave birth to a philosophy of resistance that continues to inspire later generations and movements. This unbroken chain of struggle has guided thousands of Baloch men, women, and children who have laid down their lives in defense of their land.
Today, they noted, the graveyards of Tutak, Dasht, and New Kahan bear witness to the resilience of a people who refuse to surrender, even as cities fall silent and cemeteries grow. The Baloch nation continues to resist occupation and remains steadfast in the face of oppression.
Speaking on the occasion, PTM Europe Coordinator Malik Bazai said that, tragically, both the Baloch and Pashtun nations are subjugated by a state that operates outside the principles of justice, humanity, and ethics. He paid tribute to the Baloch martyrs, saying that their sacrifices have strengthened the cause of Baloch freedom.
“Across the world,” he said, “nations that honor their martyrs remain alive and proud. The Baloch and Pashtun share a deep historical bond — we stood together yesterday, we stand together today, and we will continue to stand together on every platform. Our enemy is one, and so is our destination.”
The seminar was moderated by Mahra Baloch and Deedag Baloch.
