Balochistan Marks August 11 as ‘Independence Day’, Seeks Global Recognition

What Happened

A self-proclaimed Republic of Balochistan has renewed its campaign for independence from Pakistan, declaring August 11 as Balochistan's Independence Day and calling on the international community to recognize it as a sovereign state. Baloch nationalist groups link the date to August 11, 1947, when the Khanate of Kalat, which covered much of present-day Balochistan, declared independence following the end of British rule. Pakistan, however, maintains that Balochistan legally acceded to Pakistan in 1948 and remains an integral part of the country.