The Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) has rejected allegations made by Pakistan’s Prime Minister at the 79th United Nations General Assembly, calling them “baseless” and part of a “disinformation strategy” aimed at distracting global attention from the “occupation of Balochistan, Pakistani atrocities, and human rights abuses.”
In a statement issued on Saturday, the BLA denied claims that the group, along with its “fidayeen wing,” the Majeed Brigade, operates from Afghan soil. It called attempts to link the group to external interference “an insult to the heritage of resistance and bravery of the Baloch nation.”
BLA spokesperson Jeeyand Baloch said the organization’s strength and activities are rooted in Balochistan and rely on the support of the Baloch people. “The Baloch fighters do not seek refuge in any foreign land but in the mountains and deserts of their native land,” the statement said.
The BLA accused Pakistan of hypocrisy for raising human rights issues in Kashmir and Palestine while allegedly overlooking what it described as its own “colonial occupation” of Balochistan since 1948.
The group cited alleged human rights violations in Balochistan, including enforced disappearances, extrajudicial killings, and military operations, referencing reports from the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan, Amnesty International, and Human Rights Watch.
Addressing accusations of operating from Afghan territory, the BLA emphasized historical ties between the Baloch and Afghan people. “Our friendship dates back to the time of Ahmed Shah Abdali and Noori Naseer Khan, and it is based on mutual respect,” the statement noted.
The BLA called Pakistan’s claim that Afghan soil is used for its operations “baseless and misleading” and highlighted what it described as Pakistan’s long-standing interference in Afghan affairs, from the Soviet-Afghan War to more recent events, including declaring Afghanistan its “fifth province.”
The BLA also criticized Pakistan’s foreign policy, citing strained relations with neighboring countries. It argued that the Prime Minister’s allegations were an attempt to divert attention from Pakistan’s internal challenges and alleged repression in Balochistan.
Concluding its statement, the BLA reiterated its commitment to its “liberation struggle” and asserted that it would continue its activities regardless of efforts by Pakistan to “mislead the international community.”