Why Suddenly Balochistan in the Headline?

I am strongly opposed to injustice against the Baloch people. I sympathise with the Baloch rights movement. However, even if I believe in the declaration of independence for any other group in Pakistan, I am sceptical about the Baloch. Suddenly, Balochistan has taken a big place in our feed. On social media, society may form an opinion, but with the help of algorithms, someone may also prompt an opinion there.
Maybe it is why Balochistan suddenly occupies the headlines. A social media profile named ‘Mir Yar Baloch’ has recently been seen speaking out in the name of freedom and rights of Balochistan. This profile, if not fictitious, is a self-proclaimed leader of the Baloch movement. In mid-2025, this impersonator had declared the independence of Balochistan on social media. Perhaps the relevant government intelligence agencies are aware of the truth behind this profile.
The Baloch have been struggling against the Pakistani state for a long time for their rights. In recent times, Dr Mahrang Baloch has repeatedly protested against the government and has come to the fore by mobilising mainly Baloch women. Unfortunately, last June, an anti-terrorism court in Quetta convicted Mahrang Baloch and sentenced her to life imprisonment in the murder case of a Frontier Corps soldier. Mahrang is currently in prison.
In 2011, Mahrang Baloch’s father was abducted and extrajudicially killed. Although no one has claimed responsibility for the murder, everyone is blaming the Pakistan military. Since then, Mahrang has been vocal against the Pakistan government’s policies of disappearances, murders and oppression. She raised her voice against state discrimination, exploitation and looting of Balochistan’s resources. She has formed a human rights platform to lead her cause. In the past three years, the movement she has led has attracted international attention. In 2024, she was included in Time magazine’s list of influential people, ‘Time 100 Next’. In the same year, she was included in the BBC’s list of ‘100 Women’. She is also said to have been nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize.
The Baloch are a specific ethnic group who gradually migrated from Iran to the present-day Balochistan area between the 11th and 14th centuries. Some are living in neighbouring Iran and Afghanistan too. At the time of the partition of British India in 1947, Balochistan had many separate, small and independent princely states. Many of them were involved in the pro-Pakistan movement, but some were also in the opposing camp. By 1955, all parts were gradually incorporated into West Pakistan, either voluntarily or forcibly. Only the Gwadar part was purchased by Pakistan from Oman in 1958. In 1970, Balochistan was granted the status of an independent province. From the beginning to the present, there have been political tensions between various Baloch groups and the central government.
Balochistan is about 44% of Pakistan in area. But since most of the land is dry and rugged, and the weather is extreme, the population is only about 15 million (only 7% of the entire country). Balochistan is rich in natural resources. In addition to natural gas, it has reserves of gold, diamonds, coal, copper and fuel oil. But economically, Balochistan is the most backward province of Pakistan. Its share in the national income is only about 5%. Still, over 70% of the population in Balochistan lives below the poverty line. Due to such dire discrimination, the Baloch have been protesting against the government in various ways. Many Baloch are demanding independence; many are vocal for autonomy. Armed Baloch organisations are also more or less active inside and outside Pakistan. Naturally, the central government of Pakistan suppresses these movements with a strict hand. As a result, the Baloch are either stagnant, divided or displaced. For a long time, due to the migration of various ethnic groups from other parts of Pakistan to Balochistan, the Baloch now constitute 40% of the population. The Pashtun population is 35%. Again, the Baloch population is divided into many groups and tribes. In other words, there is no political process or nationalist movement among the Baloch that could unite the entire population. That is why many individuals or groups have called for independence at different times, but they have never taken an effective form.
Several influential nationalist leaders have emerged among the Baloch. Many of them have a godlike position within their own tribe or group. Many have lost their lives at the hands of the Pakistani military. Many are in prison or have emigrated abroad. Unfortunately, none of them have received much international support. The exception is Mahrang Baloch. She is a representative of the current generation. Instead of tribal politics, she has come forward by raising the issue of basic human rights. She is well-educated. She has been able to organise women in innovative ways. She has been able to use social media effectively. She has been able to energise the youth. As a result, she has caught the attention of the West. She is probably also getting the blessings of the algorithm. Time and BBC have already recognised her. In continuation of Les Walesa, Aung San Suu Kyi, Muhammad Yunus, Maria Karina Machado, or Nargis Mohammadi, Mahrang Baloch may also receive coveted international recognition. Who knows how much Balochistan will have to pay for this!
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The writer is a former Bangladeshi Ambassadors