Baloch nationalism

Baloch nationalism is a movement which claims that the Baloch people, an ethno-linguistic group mainly found in Pakistan, Iran and Afghanistan are a nation. The movement propagates the view that Muslims are not a nation (the opposite of the concept behind the creation of Pakistan) and that ethnic loyalty must surpass religious loyalty.

The Baloch nationalist movement's demands have ranged from greater cultural, economic and political rights, to political autonomy, to outright secession from Pakistan and the creation of an independent state of Balochistan. The movement is secular and heavily influenced by leftist Marxist ideology, like its other counterparts in other parts of Pakistan and India, leaning towards anti-Islamism.

In Pakistan, there have been several uprisings by Baloch nationalists that have all been suppressed by the Pakistan military.

The Baloch nationalist movement includes not only speakers of the Balochi language, but Baloch leaders have tried to absorb the Brahui people of Balochistan, the ancient-most civilization of Balochistan, in the movement too as land populated by the Brahuis is vital for a separate Balochistan to survive.^[1]

The Baloch nationalist movement claims to receive considerable support from the Baloch diaspora in Oman, the UAE, Sweden, Norway, and other countries. Pakistan has repeatedly made claims that the Baloch nationalists have received funding from India,although these have been refuted by India and the US.