NOTHING LESS THAN DECOLONIZATION: THE BALOCH NATIONAL STRUGGLE

The Baloch national struggle, often misunderstood or reduced to the discourse of terrorism and separatism, is in fact a profound movement rooted in a complex history of autonomy, cultural identity, and resistance to marginalization.

- WANI SHAFIYA

Since 1948, Balochistan has seen five major insurgencies against the Pakistani state, each iteration building upon historical grievances and evolving in sophistication and purpose. The Baloch question is not simply a regional problem; it is a deeply political issue that challenges the foundation of state-making in Pakistan, asking critical questions about consent, federalism, and human rights.

The roots of this struggle lie in the controversial accession of the princely state of Kalat to Pakistan in March 1948. The Khanate of Kalat had declared independence in August 1947, the same month Pakistan was formed. While other princely states like Hyderabad and Junagadh faced political pressure to join India or Pakistan, Kalat's claim was unique in that it had treaties with the British Crown and considered itself sovereign. Nevertheless, under immense pressure, the Khan of Kalat signed the Instrument of Accession, a decision that immediately sparked unrest among the Baloch population. Prince Abdul Karim, the Khan's brother, launched the first armed rebellion against Pakistan, setting the tone for decades of resistance.

What followed was a series of insurgencies that reflected the Baloch people's discontent with how the Pakistani state treated their land and lives. In 1958, the One Unit policy, which merged all western provinces of Pakistan into a single administrative entity to counterbalance East Pakistan, intensified feelings of marginalization. Nawab Nauroz Khan led the second major revolt in response to this policy, which was seen as a direct attack on Baloch identity and political representation. After months of guerrilla warfare, Nauroz Khan and his followers were captured, and several of them, including his sons, were hanged. The betrayal of a ceasefire promise by the Pakistani government during this time left a deep scar in Baloch memory.