New Delhi, September 14: The Republic of Balochistan has announced a nationwide campaign seeking the restoration and reintegration of areas in Pakistan’s Punjab province that it claims are historically part of Balochistan.
According to the statement, the campaign covers Baloch-majority areas including Taunsa Sharif, Dera Ghazi Khan and Rajanpur, which the Republic of Balochistan describes as having been “forcibly and illegally incorporated” into Punjab.
The announcement calls upon Baloch communities residing in these areas, including the Laghari, Khosa, Mazari, Drishak, Qaisrani, Buzdar, Gorchani, Sukhani, Khetran, Rind, Lashari, Hot, Dashti, Jamali and Jatoi tribes and sub-tribes, to assert what it describes as their historical, cultural, linguistic and national affiliation with Balochistan.
The Republic of Balochistan has also appealed to residents to seek the recording of Balochistan rather than Punjab as their province on identity cards, passports, domiciles, school certificates and birth certificates, saying this would help preserve the historical identity of the region.
The statement further declares that the territories in question are being restored to the national map of Balochistan and should, according to the organisation, come under the direct control of Balochistan rather than the administration of Punjab.
Referring to the 2024 Baloch Long March, the statement claimed that large numbers of Baloch living in the areas welcomed participants and expressed hopes of their eventual reintegration with Balochistan.
The Republic of Balochistan also made a broader geographical claim, stating that the historic territory of Balochistan constitutes 64 per cent, rather than 44 per cent, of the area it says is currently claimed by Pakistan. It called upon international media organisations, online platforms, geographical institutions and the international community to refer to Balochistan’s territory as 64 per cent in future references.
The announcement described the campaign as an effort to unite Baloch communities and restore what it considers the historical boundaries of Balochistan.
Source: Republic of Balochistan statement and post by Mir Yar Baloch on X. X post
