Mir Yar Baloch Denounces Pakistan for Mosque Demolitions in Balochistan

Post by : Mina Rahman

Prominent Baloch nationalist and human rights advocate, Mir Yar Baloch, has issued a strong denunciation of Pakistan, accusing the government of systematically demolishing close to 40 mosques in the mineral-prospective region of Balochistan. His statements arise amid Pakistan’s substantial denunciation of India's recent actions to monitor mosques and religious bodies in Jammu and Kashmir.

Mir Yar Baloch underscored the duplicity of Pakistan, pointing out that while Islamabad chastises India for its interference in the religious sphere of Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK), Pakistani armed forces have been complicit in the wreckage and desecration of mosques throughout Balochistan. He asserted that these actions lay bare Pakistan’s reputation as a "terrorist state," deploying religious extremists to threaten and harass minority communities, including Hindus, Sikhs, and Christians.

He further stated that the Balochistan Republic stands in solidarity with India’s principled stance on PoJK, condemning Pakistan for attempting to school others on minority rights while actively infringing upon those very rights domestically. As per Mir Yar Baloch, not only have Pakistani military and foreign forces been found bombing mosques and burning sacred texts like the Quran, but they have also abducted mosque leaders, constituting part of a broader strategy to suppress the Baloch populace.

The first mosque targeted was the historically significant mosque of the Khan of Kalat, once the ruler of Balochistan. This mosque endured severe shelling when Pakistani artillery and tanks attacked civilian areas during military campaigns. The evident scars from mortar strikes on this mosque serve as a stark reminder of Pakistan’s ruthless occupation, which Mir Yar Baloch refers to as exhibiting "un-Islamic behavior."

Balochistan, a province rich in resources, faces economic hardship and political turmoil. The Baloch nationalist movement seeks greater self-governance or complete independence, steeped in a long and eventful history. Though the insurgency has ebbed and flowed through the years, it continues to challenge Islamabad’s grip, with Baloch nationalist leaders declaring independence in May 2025, albeit in a region fraught with instability, including frequent confrontations against Pakistani military forces and infrastructure projects associated with the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor.

Mir Yar Baloch's resolute remarks emphasize the persistent human rights violations and entrenched political strife in Balochistan, raising critical questions about Pakistan's objectives in the area. The destruction of mosques and sacred sites exacerbates tensions, undermining claims that Pakistan safeguards religious freedoms.