Balochistan activists declare independence: Who’s who in the anti-Pakistan resistance movement

File photo of Free Baloch Movement activists protesting against China and Pakistan outside the Chinese Embassy in London

Amid the heightened tensions between New Delhi and Islamabad, prominent Baloch leaders and activists, including Mir Yar Baloch, recently declared Balochistan’s independence from Pakistan. While the announcement is symbolic, it is clearly aimed at drawing the global attention to the decades-long insurgency and allegations of state repression in the impoverished province.

The declaration also comes at a time when Pakistan faces increased global scrutiny on its alleged internal unrest over reports of human rights abuses and disappearances in Balochistan.

With the movement gaining renewed visibility, here’s a look at the major faces of the Baloch nationalist and separatist movement:

Mir Yar Baloch: He is said to be the face behind the recent declaration and is also the rising voice among the exiled Baloch community. Based in Europe, he has spoken at global platforms, including the United Nations, drawing attention to enforced disappearances, military repression, and the plundering of Balochistan's natural wealth. His outspoken activism reflects a growing digital and diplomatic resistance movement.

Bashir Zaib: The current leader of the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA), Bashir Zeb, also known as Bashir Zaib, is one of the most prominent and controversial figures in the armed resistance. He assumed leadership after the death of Aslam Baloch in a suicide attack in Afghanistan in 2018. Under his command, the BLA has intensified operations against Pakistan’s security forces and Chinese projects linked to CPEC (China-Pakistan Economic Corridor). Zeb represents the more radical wing of the movement, pushing for full secession and armed confrontation. He has also issued multiple warnings to foreign entities, particularly Chinese nationals, to leave Balochistan, calling their presence a form of "neo-colonialism." Pakistan has declared him a terrorist, but among supporters, he is viewed as a freedom fighter continuing the legacy of resistance.

Mehran Marri: Mehran is the son of veteran Baloch nationalist Khair Bakshi Marri and a central figure in the exiled leadership. Based in Switzerland, he leads the United Baloch Army (UBA) and has consistently pushed for international recognition of Balochistan’s right to self-determination. He was briefly detained in Switzerland in 2017 on allegations of extremist links, which he denies.

Brahumdagh Bugti: He is the grandson of slain Baloch leader Nawab Akbar Bugti and heads the Baloch Republic Party (BRP). Bugti has been operating from exile in Switzerland and had sought asylum in several countries. Once seen as a moderate, his stance has hardened over time due to Pakistan’s continued military operations in Dera Bugti and elsewhere.

Allah Nazar Baloch: A former medical doctor turned guerrilla leader, Dr Allah Nazar Baloch is the head of the Balochistan Liberation Front (BLF). Operating largely from within Balochistan, he is considered one of the few militant leaders who have not gone into exile. He has survived multiple assassination attempts and continues to issue communiqués from underground.

Hyrbyair Marri: Another son of Khair Bakhsh Marri, Hyrbyair leads the Balochistan Liberation Movement (BLM) and is based in the UK. He actively lobbies Western governments for intervention in Balochistan.

What is Balochistan and why it seeks independence from Pakistan

Balochistan is Pakistan’s largest province by area, accounting for nearly 44% of the country’s total landmass, but it remains the least populated and most underdeveloped region. Rich in natural resources, including natural gas, coal, Copper, Gold, and Uranium, Balochistan has long been at the heart of an intense conflict between the Pakistani state and ethnic Baloch nationalists.

The roots of Balochistan's call for independence date back to 1948, when the princely state of Kalat, part of present-day Balochistan, was annexed by Pakistan after initially seeking independence following the British exit from the Indian subcontinent. Many Baloch view this annexation as forceful and illegitimate. Since then, there have been five major insurgencies, each met with harsh military crackdowns.

Baloch nationalists argue that the region’s wealth is systematically looted while its people remain impoverished, marginalized, and politically sidelined. The Pakistani military’s presence in the region is deeply resented, with frequent accusations of enforced disappearances, extrajudicial killings, and collective punishment. Projects like the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), which runs through Balochistan, have further fueled resentment, with locals alleging they receive no benefits from the multibillion-dollar infrastructure investments while suffering militarization and displacement.

Balochistan reaches out to India

In the recent days, several Baloch activists have signalled a clear intent to seek India’s support, both diplomatically and strategically. Activists including Mir Yar Baloch and Brahumdagh Bugti have issued statements urging New Delhi to recognize the plight of the Baloch people and to extend solidarity in international forums. Baloch leaders argue that just as India stood with Bangladesh in 1971, it must now raise its voice against what they describe as Pakistan’s “colonial occupation” of Balochistan. The outreach is also seen as a strategic attempt to counter Pakistan’s persistent use of proxy warfare in Kashmir and to draw global attention to Balochistan's struggle. While India has historically expressed concern over human rights violations in Balochistan, formal support for an independent Balochistan remains a sensitive geopolitical question.