Baloch march: from Turbat to Islamabad

Subject : IR

Section: Places in news

Context:

In December 2023, hundreds of Baloch people marched to Islamabad protesting enforced disappearances and killings in Balochistan.

Historical Background

Since 1947, Baloch separatism has been a continuing issue in Pakistan.
The origins of the Balochistan crisis go way back to the time of the independence of India and Pakistan, and more than 500 princely states had to decide to join either India or Pakistan.
Balochistan had desired to join India, but there is no considerable evidence pointing to it.
It remain an independent state till March 1948, after that the ruler, under political pressure, signed the instrument of accession with Pakistan.

About Balochistan

Balochistan is the largest among the 4 provinces in Pakistan.
It is located in the southwestern part of Pakistan. It is bordered by Iran (west), Afghanistan (northwest), by Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Punjab provinces (northeast and east),by Sindh province (southeast) and by the Arabian Sea (south).
It is the largest and most sparsely populated province in Pakistan. Its capital is Quetta.
It is extremely rich in natural resources including gas, oil, copper, and gold.
Before Independence, the area of Balochistan has several tribes, whose chiefs were in treaty relationships with Britishers.
- The Khan of Kalat was the most important among these chiefs. His territories were divided among a number of feudatories with varying levels of independence.
- He formed the Balochistan States Union.
- The British got into an agreement with the Khanate of Kalat in 1876, establishing direct rule over it.
After 1948, accession with Pakistan, many people and organizations revolted, but they were brutally suppressed by the Pakistani forces and its leaders were imprisoned.
Many people are still demanding an independent state of Balochistan.

Uprising in Balochistan:

During the withdrawal of the British from the Indian subcontinent, the Kingdom of Balochistan was offered the same offer, either to join India, join Pakistan or remain independent.
The king of Balochistan chose to remain independent and it did remain independent for nearly a year.
In the year 1948, the Pakistan government, with a combination of military and diplomacy, took control of the region and made it into a part of Pakistan.
Due to lack of development and human rights violations in the region done by the Pakistan military and terror groups, the insurgency in Balochistan has been active since 1948.
Pakistan claims that India has been supporting these rebel fighters with arms and intelligence.

India’s Stand on Balochistan:

India has long maintained a political stance of not interfering in the internal matters of Pakistan or any other country.
Despite Pakistan repeatedly bringing up the Kashmir issue over the years, India had maintained silence on Balochistan.
However, in 2016, remarks on Balochistan came in the immediate aftermath of the Independence Day celebration in Pakistan that was dedicated to the independence of Kashmir.
India’s response was quick with India’s Prime Minister referring to atrocities of Baloch people in his Independence speech in 2016.