The time for Balochistan's freedom has arrived. A moment like that of 1971, which led to the creation of Bangladesh out of Pakistan, is here again. Balochistan is now just two steps away from gaining its independence from Pakistan. However, Pakistan's military and ISI still do not want to admit it openly and are working to keep the U.S. administration unaware of the real situation on the ground.
Pakistan's intelligence agency, ISI, which has embedded itself in the American system for decades, is now using deception to mislead the U.S. administration. Pakistani military and intelligence operatives control their narrative globally, especially in the U.S. and Europe, through embassies, business networks, and individuals, who have migrated to the West and now serve as unofficial representatives of Pakistan's army in Western institutions.
(Source: CIA)
Pakistan's ISI Is Working To Keep Western Media In The Dark To Hide Its Weakness And Not Lose U.S. Support
Despite being the world's superpower, the United States is currently relying on Pakistan's one-sided and misleading narrative regarding ground realities in Balochistan. The Trump administration remains unaware of the significant public support for the Baloch independence movement and the weakening grip of the Pakistani military over the region. However, Pakistan's ISI is deliberately working to keep Western media – particularly American media, think tanks, civil society, politicians, the business community, and the general public – in the dark to hide its military weakness and not lose U.S. support.
Pakistan's military and ISI have a long-standing habit of suppressing the truth from reaching the public. In 1971, when the Pakistani military had already lost the war against India and the Bangladeshi independence forces, called Mukti Bahini, Pakistani General Niazi falsely claimed military victories in an interview with BBC journalist Mark Tully. The reality became clear only when 93,000 Pakistani soldiers surrendered to Indian and Bangladeshi forces – the largest surrender in modern military history.
However, the world has stopped trusting Pakistan's falsehoods. Even Pakistan's own religious extremist ally, the president of Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (JUI) Maulana Fazal-ur-Rehman, has now openly admitted that the Pakistani army and ISI have lost control over Balochistan. Speaking at a recent session of the Pakistani National Assembly, Pakistan MP Maulana Fazl-ur-Rehman admitted: "I swear by my heart that, at this moment there are five to seven groups in Baluchistan who, if they retaliate, will be granted independence and the country will break once again."
Fazl-ur-Rehman has always supported the Pakistan army against the Baloch freedom movement. In his speech, Fazl-ur-Rehman informed the establishment of Pakistan that the Baloch people are becoming independent and that this development, in his view, is not good for Pakistan's future. "If districts in Balochistan announce liberation, the UN will accept their independence and Pakistan will fall," he said.
Instead of relying on false information from Pakistan's Embassy and ISI-linked undercover operatives, the Trump administration should establish direct contact with legitimate Baloch leaders, particularly Baloch nationalist leader Hyrbyair Marri, president of the secular Free Balochistan Movement (FBM), a leading political party fighting for the independence of united Balochistan from Pakistan and Iran occupation. By doing so, the U.S. can gain true intelligence and secure its political and diplomatic interests in the region.
For long-term security and economic stability in the region, the United States must build strategic relations with Balochistan – a resource-rich, peaceful, and secular nation in a critically important geographic area – rather than relying on Pakistan, a failed and collapsing artificial state.
Hyrbyair Marri, president of Free Balochistan Movement (FBM)
The Fall Of The Islamic Republics Of Pakistan And Iran
It is worth noting that not only the Baloch movement is gaining momentum but also the Pashtuns are going to ask for their independence. The Free Balochistan Movement (FBM) leader Hyrbyair Marri has agreed to work with Pashtuns and collaborate to form a secular regional alliance.[1] This would be the end of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan. The Free Balochistan Movement is also active in Iran's occupied Balochistan and the Baloch people hope to soon unify their divided territory. All non-Persian ethnic groups under the rule of the Islamist regime of Iran (Kurds, Ahwazis, Azeris, Balochs, etc) are looking in awe at the Baloch and Pashtun movements' achievements in Pakistan. For this reason, the Islamic Republic of Iran fears the recent developments in Pakistan, as a similar scenario could repeat in Iran.
The United States of America and the free world must heed Balochistan's legitimate secular independence movement to put an end to the Islamic Republics of Pakistan and Iran, which are both terror states.
APPENDIX – Free Balochistan Movement Statement – London, February 21, 2025
The spokesperson for the Free Balochistan Movement (FBM), in a recent statement, said that Maulana Fazl-ur-Rehman, the president of Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (JUI) and a member of the Pakistani Parliament, has recently been making frequent statements acknowledging the progress of the Baloch independence movement in occupied Balochistan. His remarks indicate the failure of the Pakistani military's narrative and the decline of its brutal aggression against the Baloch nation.
Maulana Fazl-ur-Rehman, a religious extremist politician favored by the Pakistani military, recently admitted in a speech before the Pakistani Assembly that the Baloch independence movement enjoys widespread popularity. This acknowledgment signifies a moral victory for the Baloch people and a psychological and ethical defeat for Pakistan's establishment. Furthermore, his statement exposes the false claims made by Balochistan's puppet ministers, who, under the influence of the Pakistani military, have been deceiving the international community through state-controlled media.
From the very beginning, Pakistan's occupying military has tried to suppress the Baloch independence movement by dismissing it as a minor rebellion of a few tribal leaders. However, truth and ground realities cannot be concealed.
Balochistan's Struggle Against Pakistani Military Aggression
The FBM spokesperson further emphasized that the Baloch nation has been in a state of war for over seven decades. To facilitate China's exploitation of Balochistan's coastal areas, including Gwadar, under the CPEC project, Pakistan's occupying military has intensified large-scale military aggression across occupied Balochistan.
The Pakistani military and air force have been targeting Baloch civilians indiscriminately, leading to severe humanitarian crises. Thousands of Baloch people have been forcibly disappeared, and millions have been displaced from their ancestral lands. Despite the billions of rupees allocated by Pakistan to escalate its military operations, the Baloch nation remains resolute, standing firm to protect its national identity, honor, and homeland with its limited resources.
Maulana Fazal-ur-Rehman's Remarkable Admission
A few weeks ago, Maulana Fazal-ur-Rehman, in a speech before Pakistan's so-called National Assembly, stated that "Baloch people have reached a position where, if they declare independence, the Baloch masses will support them." He further admitted that "five to seven districts of Balochistan are now in such a position that, if they declare independence today, the United Nations will accept their request the next day, and Pakistan will be considered divided."
Balochistan's Liberation: The Only Path for Pakistan to Avoid a Bangladesh-Like Scenario
The FBM spokesperson noted that although Maulana Fazl-ur-Rehman has historically been a favorite of the Pakistani military and ISI, his statements confirm Pakistan's moral, psychological, and now territorial defeat in Balochistan. It is now evident that the only way for Pakistan to avoid a situation similar to Bangladesh's secession in 1971 is to announce the withdrawal of its occupying forces from Balochistan.
The International Community Must Intervene in Balochistan
The FBM calls upon the United Nations and the international community to break their silence and recognize the gravity of the situation in occupied Balochistan. Even non-Baloch politicians and religious parties aligned with Pakistan's military are now openly acknowledging Balochistan's inevitable independence. Therefore, the UN must take immediate action to prevent further humanitarian disasters in Balochistan.
Independent Balochistan: A Key to Regional Stability and Peace
An independent and sovereign Balochistan is essential for the peace, prosperity, and stability of the region. Recognizing Baloch independence is the most viable solution to counter Pakistan's militancy and destabilizing ambitions in the region. It is also the best opportunity to prevent further bloodshed and chaos.
United Nations' Precedents for Supporting Independence Movements
The FBM spokesperson urged the United Nations and the global community to follow past precedents where the UN played a crucial role in securing independence for oppressed nations:
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East Timor (2002): Under UNTAET (United Nations Transitional Administration in East Timor), the UN facilitated East Timor's liberation and nation-building process.
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Kosovo (1999): NATO intervened against Serbian aggression, forcing the Serbian military to withdraw, and the UN established UNMIK (United Nations Mission in Kosovo) to oversee Kosovo's administration and prevent humanitarian crises.
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South Sudan (2011): The UN played an active role in peacekeeping and stability efforts under UNMISS (United Nations Mission in South Sudan), paving the way for South Sudan's independence.
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Namibia (1990): With the intervention of UNTAG (United Nations Transition Assistance Group), Namibia gained independence from South African occupation.
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Eritrea (1993): The UN played a crucial role in Eritrea's independence from Ethiopia.
The Case for a UN Mission in Balochistan (UNMIB)
The situation in occupied Balochistan is no different – perhaps even worse – than these past cases. Pakistan's military and ISI have turned Balochistan into a war zone, making life unbearable for the Baloch people. Therefore, the UN must fulfill its responsibility by announcing a United Nations Mission in Balochistan (UNMIB) and compelling the withdrawal of Pakistan's occupying forces.
Only then can the Baloch people reclaim their sovereign state, a right that is historically, politically, morally, and ethically theirs.
What is FBM?
FBM (Free Balochistan Movement) is a political organization headed by Baloch nationalist leader Hyrbyair Marri currently residing in UK, London. He is the pioneer of the ongoing Balochistan independence struggle and advocating for a democratic, united republic of Balochistan free from Iranian and Pakistani occupation.
*Rudam Azad is a Baloch writer, Baloch representative, and Human Rights activist. He can be reached on Twitter, @RudamAzad and email rudambaloch@gmail.com.
[1] See MEMRI Daily Brief No. 718, Baloch Leader Hyrbyair Marri Advocates For Baloch-Pashtun Unity: 'Baloch And Pashtun Have No Future In A Punjabi Colonial State – Pakistan,' by Hyrbyair Marri, February 12, 2025.
