ABSTRACT
Balochistan, the largest federating unit of Pakistan, covering 44 per cent of the total area of Pakistan, is located in the southwestern region of the country. It remained under British rule from 1839–1947. The strategic location of Balochistan with its abundant natural resources makes it a vital territory globally. The Khan of Kalat was the ruler of Balochistan.Events leading to merging Balochistan with Pakistan were corrosive, as Jinnah in a communiqué after a meeting with the Khan of Kalat and Lord Mountbatten on 11 August 11 1947 categorically accepted the independent status of Balochistan. When Jinnah changed his mind and offered the Khan of Kalat to accede to Pakistan, Balochistan’s legislative body ‘Darul-Awam’ rejected Jinnah’s offer. In March 1948, the Khan of Kalat was informed by the American ambassador to Pakistan that all of his fiduciary states (Mekran, Lasbela and Kharan) had acceded to Pakistan. The Khan showed great resentment as this action was against the agreement with Pakistan. On March 1948, Pakistani military entered coastal areas of Balochistan and the Khan was forced to sign the instrument with Pakistan. These events cultivated the sentiment of hatred among the Baloch nation in general, and its youth in particular, for Pakistan. The first insurgency started in 1948 and was followed by four other waves of insurgency (1958–1959, 1963–1969, 1973–1977 and 2006–present).
