Separating from Pakistan; Balochistan declares August 11 as Independence Day.
THE Republic of Balochistan has declared August 11 as the Independence Day of Balochistan and called for worldwide celebrations, weeks after announcing the province’s independence from Pakistan.
In a statement, the Republic of Balochistan urged Baloch people to mark the day with national unity and appealed to the international community to recognise what it described as an independent and sovereign Balochistan.
India will celebrate its 80th Independence Day on August 15, 2026, while completing 79 years of independence since 1947.
Call for worldwide celebrations
Baloch liberation leader Mir Yar Baloch said people across the Baloch nation should hoist the national flag of an independent Balochistan at their homes, neighbourhoods, markets, shops, educational institutions and other public places.
He said the observance was intended to convey the significance of the historic day to future generations.
According to the statement, the Republic of Balochistan considers August 11 its Independence Day and states that the occasion will continue to be celebrated every year. The statement claimed that the partition of the Indian subcontinent led to prolonged conflict, unrest, terrorism, economic instability and political crises across the region.
It further alleged that Pakistan’s policies had affected not only the region but also other parts of the world. The statement referred to Kashmir, the military action in Balochistan in March 1948, the 1971 conflict in East Pakistan, operations involving Palestinians in Jordan, the Soviet-Afghan war, the 1998 nuclear tests in Chagai district and developments after the September 11 attacks in the United States.
The group claimed these events had contributed to instability, conflict and bloodshed in the region.
Appeal for international recognition
The Republic of Balochistan said it believes lasting peace, development and prosperity cannot be achieved as long as Pakistan remains in its present form.
It urged the international community to recognise Balochistan’s independence and support its position.
The statement also said the Republic of Balochistan and what it described as its 60 million Baloch people consider themselves an independent and sovereign state.
Why August 11 chosen as Independence Day?
According to the group’s statement, Balochistan first declared its independence on August 11, 1947, during the withdrawal of British rule from the subcontinent. It claimed that news of the declaration was reported by international media, including The New York Times and broadcast by All India Radio.
On the basis of this position, the group said the Baloch nation has been observing August 11 as its Independence Day and would continue to celebrate the occasion in the years ahead.
Meanwhile, Pakistan observes Independence Day on August 14 and India on August 15.
