Balochistan, with its rugged landscape of mountains, deserts and coastline, has been home to the Baloch people, who have faced centuries of external pressures. However, the most severe assault on their identity and autonomy came not from foreign empires but from Pakistan, the nation that was supposed to be their ally. The tragedy of Balochistan highlights the dangers of unchecked state power, ethnic suppression and the hypocrisy of a nation that condemns alleged injustices elsewhere while committing similar acts at home. Pakistan’s invasion and forced annexation of Balochistan in 1948 remains a dark chapter, with Islamabad continuing to subject the region to military rule, enforced disappearances, economic exploitation and oppression for over seven decades. Despite its rich resources, Balochistan remains Pakistan’s most underdeveloped province and its people have faced continuous human rights abuses, fueling a strong nationalist movement for autonomy or independence.

Balochistan, located at the crossroads of Pakistan, Iran and Afghanistan, has a history spanning millennia and a strategic position linking Central Asia to the Indian subcontinent. The Baloch people, believed to be of Indo-Iranian origin, have inhabited the region for centuries, developing a unique tribal-based social structure and a strong sense of independence. Known for their warrior traditions and deep connection to their land, the Baloch maintained autonomy until British colonialism. Balochistan, Pakistan’s largest province, covers 44% of its land area and has a distinct cultural and linguistic identity, with the Baloch speaking Balochi, Brahui and Pashto. Before Pakistan’s creation in 1947, Balochistan was not part of British India and consisted of several princely states, notably the Khanate of Kalat. When India and Pakistan gained independence, Balochistan was recognized as independent and the Khan of Kalat declared independence on August 11, 1947. Although initially recognized by Muhammad Ali Jinnah, Pakistan's expansionist goals led to its military invasion of Balochistan on March 27, 1948. The Khan of Kalat was forced to sign the Instrument of Accession, but the Baloch rejected it, leading to the first armed resistance led by Prince Abdul Karim. Since then, Pakistan has treated Balochistan as a colony, imposing military rule and suppressing dissent.
The partition of India in 1947 had a devastating impact on Balochistan. While Indian princely states could choose to join India, Pakistan, or remain independent, the Khan of Kalat was pressurized into acceding to Pakistan in 1948. This accession was opposed by many Baloch, who saw it as a betrayal of their desire for self-determination. The forced annexation sparked resistance which was met with harsh military responses that included extrajudicial killings, disappearances and torture. The Pakistani military’s approach to Balochistan has been marked by a heavy military presence and widespread repression, creating a climate of fear. The region is heavily militarized, with frequent human rights violations, including enforced disappearances and the "kill and dump" practice, where bodies of suspected militants or activists are found in remote areas. Journalists, activists and human rights defenders face harassment, violence and severe censorship, with independent reporting restricted. Pakistan’s policies have also aimed at eroding Baloch cultural identity, marginalizing the Balochi language and suppressing their heritage, leading to a deep sense of alienation. Forced displacement of Baloch communities for development or military projects has further strained relations. Despite Baluchistan’s rich natural resources, including gas, minerals and Gwadar Port, it remains Pakistan’s poorest province, with limited industrial development, high unemployment and poor infrastructure. The exploitation of these resources primarily benefits Punjab and the Pakistani elite, leaving the Baloch people impoverished, while the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor has raised fears of further economic exploitation.
Pakistan has conducted multiple military operations in Balochistan, resulting in severe human rights abuses, including enforced disappearances, mass graves and extrajudicial killings by the ISI and military. The region has been heavily censored, with journalists arrested or killed, social media monitored and international organizations denied access. Despite 75 years of military rule, Baloch nationalism persists, with youth joining resistance movements and international attention growing. Pakistan’s propaganda on Kashmir contrasts with its actions in Balochistan, where it claims Kashmiris lack freedom but engages in military occupation, repression and human rights abuses in Balochistan. While Balochistan suffers under military rule, Jammu & Kashmir has seen development, with infrastructure, tourism, foreign investments and public participation in governance. Many Pakistanis are questioning their government’s hypocrisy in supporting Kashmiris while oppressing Balochistan. The international community’s silence on the Balochistan crisis has allowed Pakistan to continue its abuses, but the Baloch movement remains resilient, demanding self-determination. A lasting solution requires addressing the root causes, including self-determination, cultural suppression and economic exploitation, with Pakistan engaging in dialogue and ending repression, while the international community pressures for human rights and access to the region.
The invasion and occupation of Balochistan by Pakistan is a tragic chapter in subcontinental history, highlighting the dangers of unchecked state power and the need to uphold self-determination and human rights. The contrast between Baluchistan’s oppression and Kashmir's progress exposes Pakistan's hypocrisy. Pakistan’s brutal treatment of Balochistan is unsustainable, as the Baloch resistance grows and international pressure mounts. The world must hold Pakistan accountable for its human rights violations and the question remains: How long can Pakistan continue its colonial rule over Balochistan before the region regains its sovereignty?