Pakistan's sustained efforts in restraining terroristic groups garner praise from the United States, as highlighted in a joint statement issued post-discussions in Islamabad.
In a significant move, the United States has designated the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) as a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO) and a Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT) group. This decision, announced on August 11, 2025, includes the BLA and its armed wing, the Majeed Brigade, along with other aliases such as Fateh Squad and Zephyr Intelligence Research and Analysis Bureau.
This U.S. designation comes amid ongoing conflict and separatist insurgency in Balochistan, Pakistan. The BLA, the only remaining active separatist group, is reportedly responsible for militant attacks, including high-profile bombings and hostage crises, causing many casualties and destabilizing the region.
The controversy surrounding the U.S. designation revolves primarily around geopolitical implications, especially concerning India, Pakistan, and China. Indian intelligence has been accused of covertly supporting the BLA as a proxy to destabilize Pakistan and hinder China’s Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) projects. On the other hand, the designation is seen as part of a broader U.S. strategic recalibration in South Asia, influenced by worsening U.S.-India relations and shifting priorities.
Meanwhile, human rights activist Mir Yar Baloch has criticised the US decision, stating that Pakistan weaponizes radical groups to crush legitimate political voices, suppress democratic aspirations, and destabilize the region. Baloch argues that the Baloch people are victims of state-sponsored terrorism by Pakistan.
In a separate development, Pakistan Army chief Asim Munir recently visited the US, marking his second visit within two months. During his visit, Asim Munir made provocative remarks on American soil, including nuclear threats and warnings to India over ongoing disputes.
The people in Balochistan have been falling victim to the IS-Khurasan (IS-K), an offshoot of the terror organization ISIS, as per Mir Yar Baloch. The United States has expressed condolences for the loss of civilians and members of law enforcement agencies in terrorist incidents in Pakistan, specifically mentioning the Jaffar Express terrorist attack and the bombing of a school bus in Khuzdar. The United States has also applauded Pakistan’s successes in containing terrorist entities that pose a threat to regional and global peace and security.
The ongoing situation in Balochistan remains a complex web of conflict, terrorism, and geopolitical manoeuvring, with the U.S. designation of the BLA adding another layer to the intricate dynamics at play.
- The U.S. designation of the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) as a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO) and a Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT) group is often discussed in the context of general news, war-and-conflicts, and crime-and-justice, considering the BLA's reported involvement in militant attacks and destabilization of the region.
- The politically charged decision to designate the BLA as a terrorist group has sparked controversy, with discussions on its geopolitical implications dominating political discourse, particularly concerning India, Pakistan, and China, due to allegations of covert support for the BLA.
