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Baloch leader to Trump: You've been ‘gravely misled' by Munir, Balochistan's resources don't belong to Pakistan
Baloch leader Mir Yar Baloch has issued a sharp warning to US President Donald Trump, accusing him of being 'gravely misled' by Pakistan's military leadership about the true ownership of vast natural resources in the region.
In an open letter, Mir Yar Baloch stated that General Asim Munir and Islamabad's diplomatic channels had falsely claimed that massive reserves of oil, natural gas, copper, lithium, uranium, and rare earth minerals were part of Pakistan, when in fact, he said, they rightfully belong to Balochistan.
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'Your recognition of the vast oil and mineral reserves in the region is indeed accurate. However, with due respect, it is imperative to inform your administration that you have been gravely misled by the Pakistani military leadership, particularly General Asim Munir, and by their diplomatic channels regarding the true geography and ownership of these critical resources,' he wrote.
He further asserted that these untapped deposits are not located in Punjab—the core territory of Pakistan—but in the 'Republic of Balochistan,' which he described as 'a historically sovereign nation currently under illegal occupation by Pakistan.'
'These untapped reserves of oil, natural gas, copper, lithium, uranium, and rare earth minerals are not located within the territories of Punjab, which is the actual Pakistan. They belong to the Republic of Balochistan, a historically sovereign nation currently under illegal occupation by Pakistan. The claim that these resources belong to Pakistan is not only false, it is a deliberate attempt to misappropriate Balochistan's wealth for political and financial gain,' Baloch added.
He also warned that granting Pakistan access to Balochistan's mineral riches would empower its military and intelligence services—specifically the ISI—which he accused of a long record of sponsoring terrorist groups.
'Such access would significantly enhance the operational and financial capabilities of the ISI, enabling it to expand its global terror networks, recruit more militants, and potentially facilitate large-scale attacks reminiscent of 9/11,' he cautioned.
Reaffirming Balochistan's stand, he declared the region was not 'for sale.'
'We will not permit Pakistan, China, or any other foreign power to exploit our land or its resources without the explicit consent of the Baloch people. Our sovereignty is non-negotiable, and our struggle for rightful ownership and independence continues with dignity and resilience,' he said in the letter.
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The statement came after Trump announced a major energy partnership with Islamabad, under which the US and Pakistan would jointly develop what he described as 'their massive oil reserves.'
'We are in the process of choosing the Oil Company that will lead this Partnership,' Trump wrote on Truth Social. Meanwhile, Pakistan's largest refinery, Cnergyico, claimed to have finalised a deal with Vitol to import 1 million barrels of American oil, according to the company's vice chairman, Usama Qureshi, who spoke to Reuters.
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