Baloch Independence Day Observed In Balochistan And World Wide

Quetta : August 11 has been observed to commemorate the Independence Day of Balochistan. The Baloch state declared its Independence on 11 August 1947 but it was later occupied by Pakistan on 27 March 1948.

According to details Baloch people observed their Independence Day across Balochistan and several cities abroad by hoisting flags of Balochistan and arranging awareness campaigns. Reports from Balochistan say that, at 12 midnight of 11 August, Baloch youth have started firing in air as a mark of celebration of their Independence.

Sources said the flag of Balochistan was hoisted on every house, school and other buildings in Balochistan. Many youth panted their cars with the colors of Baloch flag to mark the Independence Day. Flag hoisting ceremonies were held in all town and cities of Balochistan including Panjgur, Gawadar, Thump, Mand, Gomaazi, Zamuran, Turbat, Hub, Khuzdar, Makuran, Dera Bugti, Sibi, Kohlu and other areas. Despite tight security plans the Baloch have come out in street waving the flag of Balochistan proving the Day to be tremendous success for Baloch nation.

It is important to remind the readers of Balochwarna News, three days before Pakistan’s secession from India. Balochistan was already declared an independent state. The independence of Balochistan was recognised by the management of the upcoming Pakistan through an announcement from Dehli on 11 August 1947.

On 12 August 1947 The New York Times published Pakistan’s announcement which read: Karachi, Aug, 11, 1947 [AP] – Among the congratulatory messages read to the Pakistan assembly today was one from United States Secretary of State George C. Marshall. An announcement from New Dehli said that Kalat, Moslem State in Balochistan, had reached an agreement with Pakistan for a free flow of communication and commerce, and would negotiate for decisions on defense, external affairs and communications. Under the agreement Pakistan recognises Kalat as an independent, sovereign state with a status different from that of Indian states. [The New York Times, Published: August 12, 1947, Copyright – The New York Times]

Within 24 hours of the declaration of Independence 1947, the Khan of Kalat formed Baluchistan’s House of Commons and the House of Lords. On 16th December 1947 Khan of Kalat called a meeting of both houses of Balochistan to discuss the possibility of joining Pakistan. All the members from both Houses had unanimously rejected the idea of joining Pakistan.

However the new born religious state of Pakistan invaded Balochistan on 27 March, 1948. The illegal and forceful occupation of Balochistan by the Pakistani army had resulted in killing of many workers and members of the Independent State of Balochistan and imprisonment of the Khan of Kalat and his family members in their palace. Deaths, destruction, torture, imprisonment of Baloch people and looting and plundering of their natural resources have been the outcome of this occupation since then. From that very moment the freedom loving Baloch people have been struggling against Pakistani occupation and in order to regain their lawful sovereign independent state. August 11 is Balochistan Independence Day and Baloch mark this day as their ‘National Day’ and they are adamant to commemorate it until such time when Balochistan is liberated from the foreign occupiers.

Meanwhile Baloch Social Media Activists have also observed the Day on social networking site, especially, on Twitter under the hashtag #BalochIndependenceDay. The campaign was aimed to create awareness among other communities and media persons about the illegal occupation of their country Balochistan. The Baloch social media activists have successfully made their hasghtag trend in Pakistan and in London for the first time. Their tweets included pictures of their flag, pictures of victims of Pakistan’s ‘state terrorism’ and pictures of abducted Baloch some of whom have been missing for years.

Baloch all over world have observed the Baloch Independence Day by exchanging greetings and sending congratulatory messages to each other. Dinner parties and cake cutting events were reportedly held in different cities of world including London