LONDON: The Republic of Balochistan has called on the international community to recognise Balochistan as an independent country, as it marked August 11 as its Independence Day.
In a statement posted on X on Tuesday, the organisation described the day as a milestone in its campaign for what it termed the “legal, political, diplomatic and moral” recognition of Balochistan’s independence.
The statement extended greetings to Balochistan’s Baloch, Pashtun, Hindu, Sikh, Christian and other religious communities, while urging governments and international organisations to refer to Balochistan as an independent country rather than as a province of Pakistan.
The organisation claimed that Balochistan would assume responsibility for its foreign policy, defence, economy and diplomacy, and said preparations were under way for institutions including passports, currency, media organisations, trade and commerce bodies and diplomatic missions.
It also said efforts were continuing to unite Baloch political leadership and claimed that the movement was seeking international support for its cause.
The statement alleged widespread human-rights abuses in Balochistan and accused Pakistan’s security forces of attempting to prevent Independence Day celebrations through internet and mobile-service restrictions and heightened security measures. These allegations were presented by the organisation in its X post and were not independently verified.
The Republic of Balochistan further claimed that Balochistan possesses extensive mineral and energy resources and outlined ambitions for major investment in trade, technology, defence, security and infrastructure. It said the region could play a significant economic and humanitarian role in South and Central Asia.
The organisation also invoked the events surrounding the end of British rule in the Indian subcontinent, asserting that Balochistan declared independence on August 11, 1947, and said its present campaign had moved from a declaration of independence towards securing international recognition.
Calling for action from the United Nations, ASEAN, African Union, Organisation of Islamic Cooperation and European countries, the statement urged the international community to examine what it described as Balochistan’s historical and political case.
The statement concluded with a call for continued international attention to the Balochistan issue and was issued under the name “The Republic of Balochistan” with the hashtags #11AugBalochistanIndependenceDay, #PakistanQuitBalochistan, #FreeBalochistanMovement and #RepublicOfBalochistan.
