The Baloch National Struggle in Pakistan discusses the relevance of the principle of the right of self-determination in the context of rising trends towards ethnic nationalism in Afro-Asian countries. The book deals with the emerging conflict of the Baloch with Pakistan and Iran. It also discusses the geopolitical and geostrategic repercussions of any re-demarcations of the boundaries of Pakistan and Iran on the region and long-term policies of world powers. The book gives an insight into the political psychology and cultural traits of the Baloch struggle for safeguarding their historic personality, political sovereignty, and their national and cultural survival in Iran and Pakistan.

In order to understand the Pakistani state and government's treatment of non-dominant ethnic groups after the failure of the military operation in East Pakistan and the independence of Bangladesh, this book looks at the ethnic movements that were subject to a military operation after 1971: the Baloch in the 1970s, the Sindhis in the 1980s and Mohajirs in the 1990s. The book critically evaluates the literature on ethnicity and nationalism by taking nationalist ideology and the political divisions which it generates within ethnic groups as essential in estimating ethnic movements. It goes on to challenge the modernist argument that nationalism is only relevant to modern-industrialised socio-economic settings. The available evidence from Pakistan makes clear that ethnic movements emanate from three distinct socio-economic realms: tribal (Baloch), rural (Sindh) and urban (Mohajir), and the book looks at the implications that this has, as well as how further arguments could be advanced about the relevance of ethnic movements and politics in the Third World. It provides academics and researchers with background knowledge of how the Baloch, Sindhi and Mohajir ethnic conflict in Pakistan took shape in a historical context as well as probable future scenarios of the relationship between the Pakistani state and government, and ethnic groups and movements.

THE name Baloch is used in two distinct ways by travellers and historians. In the first place, it is employed as including all the races inhabiting the geographical area shown on our maps under the name of Balochistan; and in the second place, as denoting one especial race, known to themselves and their neighbours as the Baloch. It is in the latter signification that I employ the word. I take it as applying to the Baloch race proper, not as comprising Brahois, Numris and other tribes of Indian origin, nor any other races which may be found within the limits of the Khan of Kilat's territory, or the Province of British Balochistan. On the other hand, it does comprise the true Baloch tribes outside those limits, whether found in Persia on the west, or in Sindh and the Panjab on the east. In the native use of the word, apart from modern political boundaries, Balochistan includes Persian Balochistan, the Khanat of Kilat, and the British Districts of Dera Ghazi Khan (with the adjoining mountains), Jacobabad, and part of Shikarpur as far as the Indus. Applying the test of language, the true Baloches may be considered as those whose native language is (or was till recently) Balochi, and not Brahoi, Persian, Sindhl, Jatki, or Pashto. The spelling and pronunciation of the name have varied considerably, but the Baloches themselves only use one pronunciation - Baloch, with the short a in the first syllable and the o in the second.

Culture is an integrated system of institutions, ideas, beliefs, customs, and social behaviour of a particular people or society. It is an important factor in shaping and re-shaping the identity of a people. The culture has helped the Baloch to survive and to retain its national identity in difficult times in their national history. This book is a modest effort to discuss the conditions which have ensured the continuity of the Baloch culture, and the inspiring characteristics which still direct the Baloch society. It is an exploration towards understanding the Baloch and its socio-cultural traditions in their proper historical perspective.