I stand in solidarity with the people of Balochistan, who have been fighting for their homeland since it was occupied by Pakistan in 1948. My own experience is similar, as I come from Jammu and Kashmir, also under Pakistan’s occupation, known as Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK).
Pakistan’s aggression began on October 22, 1947, when it attacked our land, despite a peace agreement between Maharaja Hari Singh and Mohammad Ali Jinnah. They violated the Standstill Agreement, launching a brutal assault, killing civilians, and destroying homes. Shortly after, on March 27, 1948, they turned their attention to Balochistan, launching another occupation. Pakistan’s existence stems from the British partition of India, not from any legitimate people’s struggle. After its creation, it first attacked us and then Balochistan.
While Balochistan may have had some form of agreement with Pakistan, we had none. No document, no signatures—yet Pakistan’s army controls every aspect of life in AJK. The world remains largely unaware of this occupation and its atrocities.
Our stories—Balochistan and Kashmir—are intertwined. In 1947, Pakistan’s forces attacked Kashmir, killing women and children, burning homes, and seizing control. On October 27, 1947, Maharaja Hari Singh made a conditional agreement with India, leading to the entry of Indian forces into Kashmir. But the conflict continues unresolved to this day.
In May 2023, a protest movement erupted in AJK over basic rights like access to electricity. The People’s Action Committee led the protests, which began on May 11 in Muzaffarabad. But on May 13, Pakistani Rangers opened fire on peaceful demonstrators, killing three young men. Even after their deaths, no investigations were conducted, no reports filed—just another chapter in Pakistan’s history of oppression.
Pakistan’s role in the region has been destructive, and I fully support the just struggle of the Baloch people. When a nation fights for its freedom, all human rights are inevitably violated by the occupier. Today, Balochistan’s freedom movement resonates deeply with us. I have countless friends involved in the Baloch struggle, many of whom have been killed or have disappeared.
In 2013, I visited Balochistan as a first responder after the earthquake, traveling from Lasbela to Turbat. I met students, teachers, laborers, and ordinary citizens, witnessing firsthand the devastation and despair under Pakistan’s rule. The people of Balochistan—Baloch, Pashtuns, Sindhis—all suffer under this brutal regime.
Today, I congratulate the Baloch National Movement for creating an international forum where we can unite to discuss and challenge these injustices. We harbor no hatred for the people of Pakistan, but we cannot accept their government’s oppressive actions. I recently watched a video of a young boy near Sui, collecting wood to make bread because there was no gas available—despite the region being rich in resources. This is the essence of slavery—not being able to control your own land, your own resources, your own destiny.
The Pakistani army dominates every aspect of life in our region, controlling local administrations and suppressing any resistance. I salute the women of Balochistan, who have taken up the fight for freedom with unwavering courage. As their men are killed or disappear, these women have turned their scarves into flags of Independence , marching for their land and their rights.
Wherever a Baloch lives, they stand for Balochistan, just as I stand for Jammu and Kashmir. We do not wish to destroy Pakistan, but we will fight for our survival. Pakistan has stolen our resources, killed our people, and left us no choice but to demand our freedom.
Our struggle is to build a future where our lands are governed by our own people, where our resources are used for our benefit, and where we can live in peace. We will rid ourselves of murderers, oppressors, and those who plunder our lands. I have met with key figures in the Baloch struggle, such as Karima Baloch who have dedicated their lives to this cause.
My party, the Jammu and Kashmir People’s National Party, has been challenging Pakistan’s occupation since 1985. We continue to fight for our land and our people’s freedom. Our struggle is not just for ourselves but for all oppressed peoples under Pakistan’s rule. Together, we will free our homelands and build a future of peace and dignity for our people.
