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The separatist outfit has urged people to hoist black flags, wear black armbands and hold rallies across Balochistan on August 14.
Rallies and demonstrations have also been urged against the Pakistani state and military. (REUTERS/File)
The Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) has called for Pakistan’s Independence Day on August 14 to be observed as a “Black Day”, urging people across Balochistan to hold protests against what it describes as state repression and human rights abuses, a top source in the separatist outfit told CNN-News18.
The BLA has rejected Independence Day celebrations and asked people to hoist black flags, wear black armbands and organise rallies and demonstrations across the province.
The call comes amid a separate protest campaign in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), where the Joint Awami Action Committee has announced that August 13 and 14 will be observed as “Black Days” and urged Kashmiris across the world to demonstrate against what it alleges are atrocities by Pakistani security forces.
The parallel mobilisation in Balochistan and PoK comes as Pakistani authorities tighten security ahead of August 14, with restrictions imposed in parts of Balochistan and security forces placed on alert over possible disruption during Independence Day events.
BLA Calls For Protests Across Balochistan
The separatist group has characterised August 14 as a “symbol of subjugation” and linked its opposition to the celebrations to Pakistan’s policies in the province and allegations of human rights abuses.
Rallies and demonstrations have also been urged against the Pakistani state and military.
The BLA’s call is aimed at rejecting the symbolism associated with Pakistan’s Independence Day and using August 14 to highlight its longstanding grievances against Islamabad’s control over Balochistan.
JAAC Announces August 13-14 ‘Black Days’
Separately, the Joint Awami Action Committee in PoK has announced a fresh round of protests ahead of Pakistan’s Independence Day.
The group has designated both August 13 and 14 as “Black Days”, with formal protests planned on August 13 against the Pakistani state and the Pakistan military.
August 14 is expected to see further demonstrations highlighting what the committee describes as continued repression in PoK.
Kashmiris Overseas Asked To Join Protests
JAAC leader Umer Nazir Kashmiri has appealed to Kashmiris living outside the region to hold rallies on August 13 and highlight what the group describes as the use of force and oppression by Pakistani authorities in PoK.
By taking the protests beyond PoK, the group is seeking to give its campaign an international dimension and draw wider attention to its allegations against Pakistani security forces.
What The PoK Protesters Want To Highlight
The JAAC’s campaign centres on allegations of excessive use of force by Pakistani security forces and killings during recent firing in PoK’s Rawalakot.
It has also raised issues of political repression, alleged state brutality, Islamabad’s control over PoK and restrictions on dissent and protests.
The August 13-14 mobilisation is intended to demonstrate that the group’s campaign against Pakistan’s policies in PoK remains active and that it plans to take those grievances to international audiences as well.
Security Tightened Ahead Of August 14
Pakistani authorities, meanwhile, have stepped up security ahead of Independence Day.
A top government source told CNN-News18 that the Balochistan government has imposed Section 144 in various districts and restricted or suspended internet and mobile phone services in parts of the province.
Security forces are also on heightened alert as authorities prepare for possible attempts to disrupt August 14 events.
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Group Editor, Investigations and Security Affairs, Network18
August 12, 2026, 12:08 IST
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