Baluch

Baluch, also spelled Baluch or Baloch, is an ethnic group primarily inhabiting Baluchistan, a region that spans parts of southwestern Pakistan, southeastern Iran, and southern Afghanistan. The largest concentrations are in Pakistan’s Balochistan Province and Karachi, Iran’s Sistan and Baluchestan, and Afghanistan’s Nimruz and Helmand provinces. They speak Balochi, an Iranian language with several dialects, and most Baluch are Muslims, predominantly Sunni, with minority communities of other affiliations.

The Baluch region has a long history as a crossroads of trade and empire. In modern times, Baluchistan was shaped by colonial borders and later integrated into the states of Pakistan and Iran. The term Baluchistan denotes the land of the Baluch, and the modern borders were established through historical processes that cut across tribal and regional identities. In recent decades, Baluch nationalism has led to political movements seeking greater autonomy or independence within Pakistan and Iran, with varying levels of unrest.

Culturally, Baluch communities are organized into tribes and clans with traditional social codes. Historically, pastoralism, caravan trade, and seafaring along the Makran coast were important livelihoods. Diaspora communities are found in Gulf states, Europe, and North America, where Baluchi language and cultural traditions are maintained while many Baluch participate in broader societies.