In recent weeks, as India’s standoff with Pakistan reignited strategic attention towards Balochistan,
misleading narratives began circulating across segments of the Indian media claims of a “Republic of Balochistan” and declarations by anonymous exiles flooded social platforms. Cutting through the noise, Organiser Senior Assistant Editor Nishant Kumar Azad spoke with Qazi Dad Mohammad Rehan, Information & Cultural Secretary of the Baloch National Movement (BNM). Rehan laid bare the hard truths of the Baloch freedom struggle, its decades of sacrifice, ideological clarity, and fight against both Pakistani oppression and misinformation. Excerpts:
Certain section of Indian media have been discussing that Balochistan has been freed from Pakistan calling it “Republic of Balochistan”. Subsequently you released a statement calling it “Misrepresentation of Balochistan in Indian Media”. Why did you feel the need to issue this clarification?
Our political struggle is serious and structured. Just as any State has an official Government whose statements are recognised, our organisation has official channels. BNM has structured departments, Information and Culture, Foreign Affairs, IT and Information and we communicated in over 11 global languages, including in Hindi, recently.
The issue is, an account in the name of “Mir Yar Baloch” emerged, claiming the formation of a “Republic of Balochistan.” This claim was false and misleading. If Balochistan was truly independent, why would we still be living like this? Why are we still fighting from the mountains? Why are our youth still being abducted? Declaring independence over social media using AI-generated voices, with no face, no organisation, and no legitimacy—this undermines the real struggle. It gives a false picture to the world. Unfortunately, some segments of Indian media echoed this. It sidelines legitimate political movements like ours, whose members have been martyred, abducted, and disappeared over decades. Our party alone has lost over 200 political workers to Pakistan’s violence.
Symbolic actions like forming a Government-in-exile have limited impact. To form a Government-in-exile, genuine political organisations must collectively decide and agree. We rejected the so-called “Government-in-exile” declared by Naela Quadri Baloch too, as it lacked legitimacy.
Recently, Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) launched ‘Operation Herof’ and its being believed that Baloch armed struggle is entering into a new phase. What’s your opinion?
“Herof” is a Balochi word meaning a sweeping gust of wind. The BLA launched Operation Herof to symbolically demonstrate control over Balochistan. They block roads, take temporary control of towns, and conduct snap checks. The goal is to show the world that we are capable of asserting control and resisting Pakistani forces.
As Pakistan intensifies its crackdown against Balochis, how does BNM plan to sustain this long-term struggle?
We have sustained it for 77 years and can continue for another 100 years. This isn’t just a political movement, it’s a national uprising rooted in ideology. Our founding leader Ghulam Mohammad Baloch taught us that people fight wars, not weapons. Even without arms, people can resist. We invest in ideological strength and continue to grow each generation to carry the movement forward.
“There are people who have been forcibly missing for over 13 years. The number of forcibly disappeared is estimated to be over 30,000”
You mentioned enforced disappearances of Baloch people. Can you share the scale of these human rights violations?
We have a Human Rights Department, “Paank” (a Balochi word meaning “protector”) to document such violations. In just the last three months, over 300 people were abducted. About 45 per cent of them were eventually released, but the rest remain missing. There are people who have been forcibly missing for over 13 years. The number of forcibly disappeared is estimated to be over 30,000. Families have no information; many of the victims are writers, journalist , poets, students, or relatives of political activists.
Pakistan accuses you of receiving support from foreign entities. Is there any truth to that?
The truth is simple: any humane person who learns about Balochistan’s suffering will support our cause. But the kind of financial or military aid Pakistan alleges doesn’t exist. If it did, we wouldn’t still be struggling. We are raising funds through campaigns. And weapons? We (Baloch Sarmachars/guerrilla fighters) seize them from Pakistani forces during operations. We demand that countries like India, which have suffered due to Pakistan, openly support our cause not just diplomatically but morally and politically.
In this world of social media, any kind of persecution spreads like wildfire, but it seems that the global community is indifferent about the plight & persecution of Balochis.
See, there is support, but not at the level we need. We recently held a lobbying campaign in the UK Parliament’s Jubilee Room. MPs listened to our testimonies. However, Pakistan bribes and lures the world with access to Balochistan’s rich minerals and ports. It blocks international media access to Balochistan. Journalists like Declan Walsh, who once reported from the region, are now banned. The media blackout helps Pakistan hide its crimes.
In recent years, we have witnessed excessive exploitation of Balochistan’s resources by China, especially in the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor projects (CPEC). We all know the bonhomie between Pakistan and China. What’s your plan of action to overcome this?
China is deeply complicit. Through CPEC, entire villages have been evacuated; people were beaten, abducted, even raped. Unlike other infrastructure projects where residents are compensated, here the people were silenced through force. Thousands fled to Iranian Balochistan, where they live without identity cards or access to health or education. We call CPEC the “Black Corridor.” The Balochistan Liberation Front (BLF)’s first attack targeted Chinese contractors. Since then, their operations have slowed. Infrastructure hasn’t progressed as planned.
What possible way can you think of Baloch people achieving independence without shedding much blood?
If the Pakistani military withdraws and agrees to meaningful dialogue with genuine Baloch representatives, we can negotiate terms, whether water, trade, or shared interests. We are not against the people of Punjab, but against the imposed occupation. We want love, freedom, and peaceful coexistence. A free Balochistan would benefit the entire region, India, Afghanistan, even Iran.
Some people have fear that Balochistan might follow the trajectory of Bangladesh. First separate from Pakistan, then follow the same path of radicalisation. What is your take?
I understand that concern. Bangladesh was betrayed when Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, their leader and friend of India, was assassinated in 1975. Pakistan still uses ideological proxies like Jamaat-e-Islami to influence Bangladesh. But we are clear, we want a democratic, inclusive Balochistan. No dictatorship, no imposed rulers. Every human regardless of gender or tribe must be free. We dream of a peaceful South Asia where you can pack your bag and visit any Baloch town without fear. Our struggle is for freedom, equality, and justice.
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