Today, we gather to honour the brave souls who sacrificed their lives for the Baloch cause. Their courage and commitment continue to inspire us and shape our struggle for justice and freedom.
Distinguished political leaders, esteemed party members, dear friends, and fellow advocates for the Baloch people – your presence here today speaks volumes about our shared commitment to remembering and honouring our martyrs.
As we stand here today, we are not just looking back at history. We are standing at the intersection of our past struggles and our future aspirations. The sacrifices of our martyrs light the path forward for our continued fight for rights and recognition.
This is the day we Baloch remember and honour our national heroes. It is the day our national heroes made us proud by sacrificing their lives and giving us this clear message: ‘Resist against the injustices and fight for your freedom.’
Mir Mehrab Khan was a brave leader and the ruler of Kalat, Balochistan. In 1839, when the British Empire was trying to control Balochistan, they sent a man named Sir Alexander Burnes with a demand. They wanted the Khan to bow down. But the Khan, Mir Mehrab Khan, stood tall and proud. He knew that the Baloch people had always lived free, and he wouldn’t let anyone change that.
When he refused the British demand, they called him their enemy and attacked his fortress at Kalat, Balochistan. On that fateful day of November 13, 1839, Mir Mehrab Khan made a choice that would be remembered forever. Instead of surrendering, he and hundreds of his loyal warriors fought bravely to protect their homeland.
As the British forces stormed the fortress, the Khan fought until his last breath, choosing to die on his feet rather than live on his knees. His final words still echo in our hearts today – he declared that he would defend Baloch honour until the end. And that’s exactly what he did.
Mir Mehrab Khan and his brave companions sacrificed their lives not just for their own time but for all future generations of Baloch people.
Today, after 185 years, we remember Mir Mehrab Khan not just as the 11th Khan of Kalat but as a symbol of Baloch courage and resistance. His sacrifice reminds us that our freedom was earned with the blood of our ancestors, and their stories continue to inspire us to stand proud and strong.
13th November is not only the symbol of Baloch resistance but also the inspiration for the Baloch people and the generations until freedom is earned.
Subsequent decades saw waves of insurgencies after the partitions of Balochistan. Baloch activists, intellectuals, and leaders faced persecution, forced disappearances, and extrajudicial killings till today.
Today, Baloch nationalist movements continue advocating for rights and recognition amid complex socio-political challenges until the freedom of Balochistan.
