Desk: Pakistani lawmaker Maulana Fazlur Rehman has made a sensational claim in the National Assembly, stating that another ‘Bangladesh’ could emerge from Pakistan. He warned that five to seven districts of Balochistan might declare independence, drawing parallels with the 1971 Indo-Pak war that led to the creation of Bangladesh.
Speaking in the National Assembly, Fazlur Rehman cautioned that if Pakistan’s ruling governments do not change their mindset, Balochistan could face a similar situation as Bangladesh. He further added, “If these districts declare independence, the United Nations might recognize their sovereignty, putting Pakistan’s existence in jeopardy.”
This statement comes amid rising violence in Pakistan’s Kurram region, which has been a hotspot of Sunni-Shia conflict. Since November, over 150 people have lost their lives in violent clashes, with tribal factions using machine guns and heavy artillery. The area, located near Afghanistan, has been virtually cut off due to ongoing hostilities.
Balochistan, Pakistan’s largest province in terms of land area, accounts for just 2% of the country’s population. The region has been grappling with separatist insurgencies for decades, as Baloch nationalist groups demand greater autonomy and control over the province’s rich natural resources. The ongoing conflict has led to widespread violence, human rights abuses, and enforced disappearances.
According to Al Jazeera, numerous cases of enforced disappearances and extrajudicial detentions have been reported in Balochistan. Many activists and civilians have gone missing under mysterious circumstances, allegedly at the hands of Pakistani security forces, further fueling local resentment and separatist sentiments.
The crisis deepened with the launch of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) in 2015 and the development of Gwadar Port. Many locals claim that while Punjab and Sindh have benefited from CPEC, Balochistan has been largely ignored, exacerbating the grievances of the Baloch people.
With growing discontent, Fazlur Rehman’s warning raises serious concerns about Pakistan’s internal stability and the possibility of escalating separatist movements in Balochistan.