Hyrbyair Marri Urges Bangladesh to Support Baloch Struggle
LONDON: Hyrbyair Marri, President of the Free Balochistan Movement (FBM), has called on Bangladesh to support the Baloch national struggle, drawing a powerful parallel between the ongoing crisis in Balochistan and the genocide of 1971 in what was then East Pakistan.
In a strongly-worded post on social media platform X, Marri stated, “Strange times, but hopeful ones. Pakistan may try to cozy up to Bangladesh, but Dhaka has taken a stand—refusing to forget the genocide of 1971, where over 3 million Bangladeshis were killed and countless women violated.”
Marri praised Bangladesh’s refusal to overlook historical atrocities, saying that its resistance is “rooted in memory and dignity.” He likened the current situation in Balochistan marked by military operations, enforced disappearances, and cultural erasure to the events that led to the birth of Bangladesh. “Like 1971, a nation is crying for justice,” he said.
Highlighting Bangladesh’s historical legacy as a nation born out of bloodshed and resistance, Marri argued that it has a unique moral authority to speak out in support of Balochistan. “Bangladesh, born of blood and resistance, has the moral voice to support Balochistan’s struggle,” he wrote.
Marri also proposed the idea of a future partnership between an independent Balochistan and Bangladesh, emphasising potential cooperation in areas such as trade, economic development, and regional solidarity. “A partnership between Balochistan and Bangladesh could bring prosperity, trade, and shared dignity—something far more meaningful than hollow diplomacy with the oppressor,” he stated.
Citing Balochistan’s vast mineral resources, Marri explained that the region has the potential to emerge as an economically viable and geopolitically significant state in South Asia. “With trillions in mineral wealth, an independent Balochistan has the potential to build strong regional ties,” he said.
The post comes at a time of heightened tension in Balochistan, where rights groups continue to report widespread human rights violations by Pakistani security forces. Activists and international observers have increasingly drawn attention to the systemic oppression, including arbitrary detentions, disappearances, and military crackdowns.
Marri’s remarks add to growing calls for international recognition of the Baloch cause, and signal a strategic effort by the Free Balochistan Movement to foster global alliances rooted in shared experiences of struggle and national liberation.
