The Baloch National Movement will hold various events on August 11 to commemorate Balochistan’s proclamation of independence from British rule in 1947.
BNM spokesperson said Balochistan was an independent nation-state that was never a part of India and has been under British control since 1839 when the British army killed the Baloch king, Shaheed Khan Mehrab Khan.
He said the Baloch political and tribal leaders resisted British dominance and regained their ancestral territory through diplomatic, political, and constitutional measures. The Declaration of independence for Balochistan occurred on August 11, 1947, when the Baloch flag was raised in the capital, Kalat.
The progressive Kalat State National Party emerged victorious in Balochistan’s first general elections, rejecting the idea of becoming a part of Pakistan while upholding their independence and sovereignty. He stated that rather than receiving respect and recognition from neighboring countries and international powers; the Baloch nation experienced betrayal and invasion.
He said that, with Britain’s help and other countries’ silence, Pakistan occupied Balochistan on March 27, 1948. Pakistan is committing grave human rights abuses and acts of oppression against the Baloch people to sustain its unlawful occupation. The Baloch nation was not enslaved due to their weakness but rather by the colonial interests and ambitions in the region.
He said that on August 11, BNM would hold events across all chapters and Zones to emphasize the importance of this day and reaffirm their commitment to attaining independence alongside the Baloch people.
