Hyrbyair Marri Urges Baloch-Pashtun Unity at PTM Grand Council (Jirga) in the UK

London, January 26, 2025: In a powerful and impassioned speech at the Pashtun National Council (Jirga) held in London, Hyrbyair Marri, a prominent Baloch leader and the President of Free Balochistan Movement, called for a united front between the Baloch and Afghans nations to resist the colonial oppression of Pakistan.

The event, organised by the Pashtun Tahafuz Movement (PTM), brought together leaders, activists, and intellectuals from Baloch, Pashtun and Sindhi nations, drawing attention to the shared struggles of these nations under the brutal occupation of Pakistan.

Marri began by acknowledging the immense suffering both Baloch and Pashtun peoples have endured under Pakistan’s occupation, saying, “The suffering of Baloch and Pashtun under the occupation of Pakistan is countless and unending.” However, the main focus of his speech was on the strength of their shared history, unity, and resilience, emphasising that their common struggle could lead them to freedom. “Together, we resisted imperial domination in the past, and together, we will defeat colonial oppressors,” Marri declared.

He then traced the long history of Baloch-Pashtun solidarity, recounting the significant role the Baloch played in protecting Afghanistan from British colonialism. In 1839, the Baloch prevented British forces from attacking Afghanistan through the Bolan Pass, resulting in brutal retaliations on Balochistan, including the martyrdom of Mir Mehrab Khan and the successful interception of British forces at Saart Aaf before they could attack the Marri tribe’s capital in Kahan. Marri emphasised that these historical moments of unity were more than mere military victories—they represented the strength of the bond between the Baloch and Afghan peoples, who stood together against imperial aggression.

Marri also referenced the 1758 Treaty of Kalat, a historic agreement between the Baloch and Afghan peoples, which symbolised a deep commitment to mutual respect, loyalty, and non-interference. Under the treaty, both nations agreed to refrain from interfering in each other’s internal affairs, and both stood together against colonial powers. “The Treaty of Kalat was not just a political alliance; it was a testament to our shared values: loyalty to one another, respect for each other’s sovereignty, resistance against oppressors, and the ultimate goal of freedom,” Marri explained.

However, Marri said that, despite this longstanding relationship, the promise of freedom has yet to be fully realised. He called for the renewal of this spirit of unity to achieve real freedom for both nations. “We now have all the values of the Treaty of Kalat—loyalty, respect, resistance—but we still lack the final piece: freedom. It is time to work together to achieve that freedom.”

Turning to the current situation, Marri denounced Pakistan’s colonial-style oppression of both the Baloch and Pashtun nations. He described the policies of enforced disappearances, torture, and massacres by the Pakistani state, which he argued have been used to suppress the legitimate aspirations of these nations. Marri highlighted the brutal massacres that have taken place, including the 1930 Qissa Khwani Bazar massacre in Peshawar and the 1948 Barbra massacre in Charsadda, where innocent civilians were killed by the Pakistani military. These events, he said, echo the same brutal tactics used by the British during their colonial rule.

Marri criticised the ongoing exploitation of the Pashtun people, especially by the Punjabi-dominated Pakistani state. He pointed out that the Pashtuns have been used by Pakistan to protect its borders and serve in military conflicts, such as the 1948 Kashmir War, where Pashtun tribesmen were sent to fight while the Punjabi elites remained behind. “The Pashtuns are seen as mere guards and caretakers of the land that is Pakistan. The real decision-makers are the Punjabis,” Marri stated.

In addition, Marri highlighted the Baloch people’s long history of serving in the armed forces of various Arab nations, including during the Oman-Yemen War of the 1960s. He shared a poignant example from a Yemeni general, who revealed that it was not the Omanis who won the war, but rather the Baloch who played a decisive role. Despite their sacrifices, Marri said, some Gulf states have repaid the Baloch by collaborating with Pakistan to silence Baloch political activists.

“Although the Baloch have done so much for them, some of these Gulf states are repaying them by sending Baloch political activists to Pakistan, where they are never heard from again. Despite the Baloch repeatedly asking every nation not to invest in Balochistan while it is under Occupation, they are investing billions of dollars in Balochistan to appease the Punjabis. While being well aware that this will only intensify the Baloch genocide.”

He condemned the investments being made in Balochistan by foreign nations, which he said only serve to intensify the ongoing genocide of Baloch people by the Pakistani military. “These investments are not helping the Baloch; they are appeasing the Punjabis, and they will only lead to further suffering for the Baloch nation,” he warned.

Marri also discussed the tragic experiences of Baloch youth in the Iran-Iraq War of the 1980s, when thousands of Baloch youth were forced to fight the Iraqis.

Marri recalled how the Iranian government promised the soldiers keys to the gates of heaven should they die in battle— by placing keys around all the soldiers’ necks and telling them that those were the keys to open the gates of heaven, he said, that only served to exploit and manipulate the Baloch youth. “You do not need keys to open the gates of heaven; you need good deeds,” Marri remarked.

Turning to the plight of Pashtuns within Pakistan, Marri expressed deep concern over the systematic racial profiling and deportation of Pashtun people, particularly in major cities like Karachi and Islamabad. He spoke of the ongoing harassment, where Pashtuns are routinely stopped, their papers checked, and many are forcibly deported to the border. “This is not just a pressure tactic. It is an affront to the Pashtun people and their right to live and thrive in Pakistan,” Marri said. He emphasised that many of these Pashtuns have lived in Pakistan for generations, and their livelihoods are being destroyed by these discriminatory policies.

Marri’s call for unity between the Baloch and Pashtun peoples was central to his message. He emphasized that their historical and cultural ties must be strengthened to overcome the artificial divisions imposed by colonial powers. He stressed that the occupying state of Pakistan fears the strength of a united Baloch and Pashtun front. “History teaches us that when we are united, no power can defeat us,” Marri stated.

He called on the Baloch and Pashtun nations to reject the divisions created by the British-imposed Durand Line, which he described as a tool of imperialism meant to sow conflict between neighbouring nations. “We are not just neighbours. We are brothers in struggle and destiny,” Marri affirmed.

Highlighting the importance of Unity and Cooperation, Hyrbyair Marri said, “History teaches that unity is the path to freedom. Just as Naseer Khan Noon and Ahmed Shah Abdali stood together against powerful enemies, we must stand united today. The bond between the Baloch and Pashtun is not a threat. It is a promise of stabilisation of the region The occupying state fears our solidarity because it knows we are stronger together.”

He reiterated that the future of both nations lies in rejecting Pakistan’s colonial system and working together to build a future based on justice, sovereignty, and peace.

In closing, Marri delivered a powerful message of hope and determination. “Together, we will break the chains of occupation. Our unity is a force of history, and our freedom is inevitable,” he concluded, to loud applause from the gathered crowd.

The Pashtun National Council (Jirga), organised by the Pashtun Tahafuz Movement (PTM), marked a historic moment for both the Baloch and Pashtun diasporas. The event not only reaffirmed their shared struggles but also underscored the potential for solidarity in their pursuit of justice and freedom from the Pakistani state. The speeches at the event were filled with messages of resistance, hope, and determination, as both communities looked to the future with renewed resolve for independence and sovereignty.