Baloch Nationalism - Independent Balochistan

Independent Balochistan

Under the partition agreement, reached shortly after Mountbatten published his June 3 Plan, most of Balochistan had already joined Pakistan, by treaties or tribal referendum, but the Khan of Kalat, a state which was around 23% of modern Baluchistan, wanted to be the ruler of an independent, albeit land locked state. Eventually a Standstill Agreement was reached between the two parties and the British Viceroy. Following the talks, a communiqué was issued on August 11, 1947 stating that:

1. The Government of Pakistan recognizes Kalat as an independent sovereign state in treaty relations with the British Government with a status different from that of other princely states.
2. Legal opinion will be sought as to whether or not agreements of leases will be inherited by the Pakistan Government.
3. Meanwhile, a Standstill Agreement has been made between the Government of Pakistan and the Khan of Kalat.
4. Discussions will take place between Pakistan and Kalat at Karachi at an early date with a view to reaching decisions on Defence, External Affairs and Communications (currency was not mentioned as it was understood that the Pakistani Rupee was to be used in Kalat, as a successor to its previous currency, the British Indian Rupee).

Parliamentary elections were held in the state, in which the Kalat State National Party won a majority. However, Baloch (or Kalat) nationalists insist that the government forced the Khan to sign the Instrument of Accession on March 27, 1948. The move was condemned by the Kalat parliament, which saw itself weakening as a legislative body and, in July 1948, the Khan's brother, Prince Abdul Karim, led the first armed revolt against the Pakistani government. The prince was originally a powerful governor of parts of Kalat, but that position ended with accession to Pakistan. Many former British Colonies abolished the principalities of the Colonial Era.