We cannot resolve Pakistan's issues through a military approach. -Altaf Hussain

We cannot resolve Pakistan's issues through a military approach. We have to face the reality if we want what little Pakistan has left to survive. You call me a traitor just because I'm telling the truth.

Our situation both domestically and internationally is becoming more difficult. We have many issues to deal with and there is even talk of the third world war. However, the people of Pakistan do not know the actual facts. Just like in 1971, on the 16th of December 1971 when the Pakistan Army surrendered to the Indian Army during the war in East Pakistan, the newspapers in Western Pakistan printed headlines about how we were winning the war on all fronts.

Just like in East Pakistan, the dire situation in Balochistan is being hidden from us. There was another incident in Gwadar Balochistan two days ago.

As a nation, we have to think. The Bengalis were the forefront of the Pakistan Movement. They were treated unfairly but they supported Pakistan 100%. So why did East Pakistan separate? Why did they become Bangladesh? These are bitter facts of history and why shouldn't we tell our new generation? When I tell these facts to the younger generation I'm called a traitor. When I posted these facts on social media broadcasts I was called a traitor and supporter of BLA (Balochistan Liberation Army) by some biased individuals.

But I'm telling the truth. Why do groups like BLA exist? Why do people from any nation take up arms? The Americans took up arms in order to gain independence from their British Empire colony. When I tell the historical facts and suggest we change our policies based on them you may not agree with what I'm saying. You can try and prove me wrong with evidence, proof and arguments. But if you can prove me wrong I will apologise for what I've said. But you cannot call me a traitor for telling the truth.

Isn't it a fact that Balochistan wasn't part of Pakistan when Pakistan was formed on the 14th of August 1947? Look at the map of Pakistan from back then and Balochistan isn't there. An agreement was signed with Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah and the Khan of Kalat Mir Ahmad Yar Khan on the 4th of August 1947 in front of a representative from the British Empire. This agreement was called the Standstill Agreement. Pakistan recognised Kalat as an independent and sovereign nation. This was officially announced on the 11th of August 1947.

Kalat was a free and sovereign nation. However, pressure was put onto Kalat to join Pakistan. The Khan of Kalat refused and so the Pakistan Army invaded Balochistan in March 1948. On the 27th of March 1948, a military attack happened in Kalat. The Khan's palace was attacked and Mir Ahmad Yar Khan was forced to sign the Instrument of Accession. His younger brother Prince Karim refused to accept this and began a struggle with the people of Balochistan. This struggle from the Baloch people has been going on since 1948.

The State of Kashmir was the same. On the 14th of August 1947 it was an independent and sovereign nation. It was ruled by Maharaja Hari Singh. It wasn't part of India or Pakistan. Both India and Pakistan invaded Kashmir. This is why the Kashmiri people still talk about how it was an independent and sovereign nation. These are historical facts and it's not right to accuse me of treachery.

If we care about what little Pakistan has left we have to think about why the country was torn apart. The Bengalis wanted their rights but we refused to give them. 56% of the population was in former East Pakistan. They wanted their rights in every aspect according to their population. However, we didn't give them their rights in proportion and created an unfair parity law. The Bengalis still accepted this but we didn't give them their rights even under this law.

Isn't it a fact that during the 1970 general elections Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and his party Awami League won a landslide victory. However, the military and Zulfikar Ali Bhutto at the time refused to recognise their win. The assembly session was never held. When Sheikh Mujib tried to hold an assembly session in Dhaka, Bhutto threatened to break peoples legs if they went to Dhaka. We didn't hand power over to the Awami League and instead invaded East Pakistan with a military operation and massacred the Bengalis. This caused Pakistan to split and East Pakistan became Bangladesh.

Now, whenever people in Pakistan are asking for their rights a military operation is used. This will not help Pakistan and will cause catastrophic situations. We have to face the reality if we want what little Pakistan has left to survive.

There are currently military operations happening in Balochistan. In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa the Pashtuns voted for Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI). However, instead of respecting their vote they put in Governor's Rule and declared an emergency. This killed the Pashtun vote. This is an insult to the people of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The elected Chief Minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Sohail Afridi [Note: Referring to regional leadership] told the federal government that if any operations had to happen in their province they would do it. However, for saying this Sohail Afridi's government was removed. Manzoor Pashteen was peacefully asking for Pashtun rights under the Constitution and laws of Pakistan however his organisation was banned. The rulers should think about what feelings they are creating within the Pashtuns.

I believe it's time for an independent and impartial Election Commission to be set up. Instead of changing the election results with form 47 we should give power to the real elected civilian representatives. Let civilians run the government and send the military back to their barracks. It's not the army's role to run all of the countries institutions. However, if any of the military agencies have information about any politicians who are corrupt and looting they should present this to the government. This way we can create a rule of law in the country and really strengthen and stabilise our nation.

Altaf Hussain

London. UK.

489th public speech via TikTok. 24th October 2026.