A Baloch separatist leader, Mir Yar Baloch, has called on the international community to recognise what he described as the “Republic of Balochistan” as an independent country. The statement also thanked international media, particularly Indian media organisations, researchers and think tanks for highlighting the Balochistan issue. Mir Yar Baloch, a prominent voice associated with the Baloch separatist movement, claimed that Balochistan should be treated as an independent nation rather than as a province of Pakistan. In his Independence Day message, he used strong language against Pakistan and called for continued international support for the Baloch people. According to Mir Yar Baloch’s statement, Balochistan declared independence on August 11, 1947, shortly before the partition of British India.