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Balochistan: A viral tweet by Baloch leader Mir Yar Baloch issued in the name of “Republic of Balochistan” has created a stir, in which it has been said that 85 percent of the province will be occupied. Along with this, Balochistan has been declared an independent country. For this new country, Baloch have also announced a separate administrative system, a new national flag, national anthem and a new currency in the name of Balochi Phalus. This viral document claims that Baloch separatists have declared independence from Pakistan. Although there is no independent confirmation of these claims, this development has once again brought Balochistan into the center of debate.

Why is Balochistan so special?

When Pakistan separated from India, it included Balochistan, which is the largest province of Pakistan in terms of area. If Balochistan separates from Pakistan, its existence may also be affected. Despite its size, Balochistan has the smallest population and is one of the least developed regions. This province, bordering Iran and Afghanistan, has great strategic importance. Balochistan is rich in natural resources such as copper, gold, natural gas, coal and rare minerals. The biggest thing is its geographical location, it is situated on the banks of the Arabian Sea and hence it is an important gateway connecting South Asia, Middle East and Central Asia.

Why did rebellion break out in Balochistan?
The roots of the insurgency in Balochistan lie in the year 1947, when India and Pakistan were separated. Then Baloch leaders had opposed the inclusion of this area in Pakistan. There have been several insurgencies in Balochistan, including in the late 1940s, 1950s, 1960s and 1970s, and again in the early 2000s, which continues even today. The reasons for the insurgency in Balochistan include alleged violations of autonomy, resources, political representation and human rights by Pakistan.

What is the history of Balochistan
At the time of India-Pakistan partition, there were four big princely states in today’s Balochistan, named Kalat, Makran, Las Bela and Kharan. Among these four princely states, Kalat was the largest and most influential. Kalat was declared an independent country by Khan, Mir Ahmed Yar Khan on 11 August 1947. The British authorities recognized Kalat and the princely state initially remained outside both India and Pakistan. Apart from this, its neighboring princely states Makran, Las Bela and Kharan decided to join Pakistan and Kalat became isolated.

Kalat tried to get the support of India and there were talks on the possibility of its merger with India, but no such agreement could be reached and after remaining independent and sovereign for 227 days, Kalat became a part of Pakistan on 20 March 1948 and was named Baluchistan. The State of Kalat had merged with Pakistan on the condition that the Government of Pakistan would not interfere in their internal affairs. But the opposite happened, till now Pakistan keeps trying to take complete control over Balochistan by force.

Why did rebellion erupt in Balochistan?
Balochistan has been the epicenter of Pakistan’s longest-running internal conflict. Despite supplying natural gas to the rest of Pakistan for decades, about 70% of Balochistan’s population lives in poverty. For decades, Baloch nationalist groups have accused Pakistan’s central government of exploiting the province’s resources while ignoring local communities. For this reason, the separatist rebellion has been going on for a long time. Militant and separatist organizations such as the Baloch Liberation Army often carry out planned attacks on Pakistani security forces and infrastructure.

Why is Balochistan so important for China?
China’s interest in Balochistan is directly linked to the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), one of China’s ambitious major projects. CPEC, worth more than $65 billion, aims to connect western China with the Arabian Sea through a network of highways, railways, energy projects and ports. Gwadar Port, important for China, is a deep port located near the Arabian Sea on the Makran coast of Balochistan. The location is a major hub of global maritime trade, providing direct access to global shipping lanes and reducing dependence on the Malacca Strait, one of the world’s busiest and most sensitive maritime chokepoints.

Can Balochistan become an independent country?
Pakistani Defense Minister Khawaja Asif had admitted in Parliament that Baloch rebels are now using sophisticated weapons, which even the Pakistani Army does not have. Pakistan itself has admitted that it is finding it difficult to deal with the insurgency in Balochistan. Given the current state of the insurgency and Pakistan’s military strength, the possibility of Balochistan becoming an independent country immediately seems unlikely, but it is not impossible. Baloch keep declaring a separate independent country from time to time. But, they have not received recognition yet.