Lahore: The self-proclaimed ‘Republic of Balochistan’ and its backers celebrated August 11 as their Independence day.
Baloch separatist leader Mir Yar Baloch claimed that Balochistan was an independent nation, called on the international community to recognise it as a ‘Republic’ and urged countries and international organisations to stop referring to the region as a province of Pakistan.
“Moral support for the people of Balochistan must continue so that we can remove the cancer-like Pakistan from our land, Balochistan,” Mir said in a post on X.
Though Balochistan is internationally recognised as a province of Pakistan, the rebel group seized control of the majority of the region and declared independence last month.
In the ‘Message of Independence of the Republic of Balochistan’, the group thanked international media organisations, particularly those in India, as well as researchers and thinktanks that it said had highlighted the Balochistan issue globally.
“The Republic of Balochistan demands from the entire world that from this day onwards, instead of calling, writing or referring to Balochistan as a province of Pakistan, it should be written, read and called an independent country,” the message said.
The group further claimed that Balochistan will assume responsibility for foreign policy, defence, economic affairs, politics and diplomacy. Preparations were apparently underway for the introduction of passports, a currency, media organisations, trade and commerce institutions and diplomatic missions.
Efforts had also started to unite different strands of Baloch political leadership.
Mir Baloch said the independence claim was rooted in events surrounding the end of British rule in the Indian subcontinent.
According to the group, Balochistan declared independence on August 11, 1947, shortly before the partition of British India. The group said its campaign was now focused on securing international recognition, and called on member states of the United Nations, ASEAN, the African Union, the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation and European countries to support its position.