Balochistan and the Birth of Pakistan: A Story of Forced Accession, Exploitation and Silenced Voices

Before believing any narrative it is necessary to look at what a state does to its own people.Balochistan exposes the reality Pakistan prefers its youth never question.

When Pakistan came into existence in 1947 it projected itself as a state built on moral principles justice and the promise of self-determination. This image was carefully promoted not only within its borders but also among Muslim populations beyond them. Over time this narrative became deeply ingrained especially among young minds who were encouraged to see Pakistan as a defender of faith and rights. Yet a closer look at Pakistan’s own internal history reveals a far more troubling reality and nowhere is this contradiction more visible than in Balochistan.

At the time of British withdrawal from the subcontinent, Balochistan was not a willing or natural part of Pakistan. The region consisted of several princely states the most prominent being the State of Kalat which possessed a distinct political identity and a history of autonomy. Unlike many regions directly governed by the British Kalat maintained treaty-based relations that acknowledged its sovereignty. On 11 August 1947, just days before Pakistan’s independence Kalat declared itself an independent state based on its legal status and historical agreements. The leadership of Kalat did not reject cooperation with Pakistan but sought a relationship based on consent equality and mutual respect rather than forced merger.

Pakistan’s leadership however viewed Balochistan primarily through a strategic lens. Its vast landmass long coastline and immense natural wealth made independence unacceptable to the new state. What began as negotiations soon turned into pressure and pressure quickly turned into coercion. In March 1948, Pakistani forces entered Kalat and under overwhelming political and military force the Khan of Kalat signed the instrument of accession. This accession was carried out without the approval of the Baloch parliament which had already rejected joining Pakistan. For the Baloch people this moment did not symbolize unity but marked the beginning of dispossession.

The impact of this forced accession continues to shape Balochistan’s history. Since 1948 the region has witnessed repeated uprisings rooted in the same unresolved grievances lack of political autonomy, absence of genuine representation and denial of control over local resources. Instead of addressing these demands through dialogue and democratic reforms the Pakistani state repeatedly resorted to military solutions. Each cycle of resistance was met with force deepening mistrust and alienation.

Over the decades, Balochistan has become one of the most heavily militarized regions in Pakistan. Arrests intimidation and enforced disappearances have turned into routine realities rather than exceptions. Families continue to search for missing loved ones while entire communities live under constant surveillance. This atmosphere of fear stands in stark contrast to the democratic image Pakistan projects both domestically and internationally.

The economic dimension of this injustice is equally stark. Balochistan is extraordinarily rich in natural resources including natural gas coal, copper, gold and strategically vital ports. Yet despite this abundance it remains Pakistan’s poorest province by nearly every social indicator. For decades gas extracted from Baloch land powered industries and households in other provinces while many Baloch areas themselves lacked basic access to gas education healthcare and clean water. Revenues generated from these resources largely flowed to the federal center leaving local communities marginalized and underdeveloped.

Control over land and resources has consistently remained outside Baloch hands. Large development projects are planned and executed without meaningful consultation with the people most affected by them. Displacement is common compensation is inadequate and promised benefits rarely reach local populations. This pattern has reinforced the perception that Balochistan is treated not as an equal province but as an internal colony.

In recent years initiatives, such as the China–Pakistan Economic Corridor and the development of Gwadar Port have been presented as symbols of national progress. However for many Baloch these projects have intensified feelings of exclusion. Traditional livelihoods particularly fishing have been disrupted while employment opportunities largely benefit outsiders. Demographic changes have increased fears of cultural and political marginalization. Development imposed without participation has deepened resentment rather than building trust.

Equally disturbing is the silencing of dissent. Journalists students, writers and human rights activists who raise concerns about Baloch rights often face harassment or worse. The mainstream Pakistani media provides little space for these voices and when it does the issue is framed solely as a security challenge rather than a political or humanitarian crisis. Silencing a people’s narrative is itself a form of oppression and in Balochistan this silencing has been systematic.

For the youth of Kashmir this history holds critical importance. Kashmiris are frequently told that Pakistan represents Muslim unity, justice and the right to self-determination. Balochistan forces an uncomfortable question. If these principles are genuine why have they not been applied within Pakistan itself? Why are millions of Baloch denied the very rights Pakistan claims to champion elsewhere?

This is not about adopting hostility or replacing one propaganda with another. It is about developing the courage to question narratives and examine actions rather than slogans. Justice cannot be selective and solidarity cannot be conditional. The story of Balochistan exposes how power often overrides principle and how moral claims collapse under scrutiny.

Balochistan is not a forgotten chapter of history. It is a living reality unfolding every day. For Kashmiri youth understanding this reality is essential not to fuel anger but to cultivate awareness. Only through honest engagement with history can illusions be separated from truth and rhetoric from genuine justice.