Pakistan merged Baluchistan with it in March 1948. The Baloch people have been struggling since 1948 against Pakistani occupation. The Baloch fought in 1948, 1958, 1962 and 1974 against Pakistan. However, in 1996, Baloch leader Hyrbyair Marri, after re-evaluating the weaknesses and failures of past attempts at Baloch freedom, laid the foundation of the current phase of the Baloch liberation movement, which took practical shape in 2000, unequivocally demanding independence and unconditional withdrawal of Pakistani occupation forces from Baluchistan. [Beebagr Baloch-Freedom of Baluchistan fundamental to regional peace]
At the end of British rule and the partition of India in 1947, Muhammad Ali Jinnah, Pakistan’s first Governor-General, proposed a merger of Kalat with the Muslim republic. Both houses of the Baloch parliament rejected incorporation.
Less than a year later, Jinnah ordered the invasion of Balochistan and annexed the entire territory. Under duress, Baloch leader Mir Ahmad Yar Khan Ahmadzai was forced to sign an incorporation agreement without a mandate from his people.
Despite its mineral wealth, Baluchistan is the poorest region of Pakistan. Much of the population lives below the poverty line with limited or no access to education, jobs, electricity, and clean water. Many are forced out of their homes without due process or compensation.Pakistan is already destroying Baloch lives and now China too has become a partner in those crimes. It is evident from the South China [Sea] issue that China is not keen on international laws and norms, it will not only turn the Baloch people into a minority inside of Baluchistan, but it would weaken Indian and American influence in south Asia and the Middle East Despite its mineral wealth, Baluchistan is the poorest region of Pakistan. Much of the population lives below the poverty line with limited or no access to education, jobs, electricity, and clean water. Many are forced out of their homes without due process or compensation.
China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), is an effort to revive the ancient Silk Road across southwest Asia. In the end, it will stretch from Gwadar in Pakistani Baluchistan to Kashgar in China’s Xinjiang province, with a potential gas link to Nawab shah in Iran as well. Once operational, the route will provide China direct access to the Indian Ocean and a significant presence in the Middle East.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi publicly committed to support the Baloch cause diplomatically, but he could not fulfil his commitment. The Afghan government too could not fully support the Baloch. But on the other hand, despite American, NATO and international pressure, Pakistan supported the Taliban and continued giving shelter to them because it knew that the shape of war had changed. [Beebagr Baloch-Freedom of Balochistan fundamental to regional peace]
Encouraged by Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s supportive words, leaders of the Baloch nationalist movement here have sought support from the US and European countries against the oppressive Pakistani regime. “The world must understand that Pakistan’s use of religious terrorism as a policy tool will have far reaching consequences; terrorism cannot be contained but needs to be countered effectively,” Khalil Baloch, chairman of the Baloch National Movement, said here in a statement. “Baloch nation hopes that the United States and Europe will join Prime Minister Modi and hold Pakistan accountable for the crimes against humanity and the war crimes it has committed against the Baloch nation in 68 years of its occupation of Balochistan and during the five wars that the Baloch nation has fought with Pakistan to win its national freedom,” Baloch said on Jul 12, 2018.
Earlier in 2018 Modi made a reference to Balochistan by thanking the people of “Balochistan, Gilgit, Pakistan-occupied Kashmir” for expressing thanks and good wishes to the people of the country