Potential Action Against BLA Affiliate by Pakistan at the UN Security Council

Potential Action Against BLA Affiliate by Pakistan at the UN Security Council

The United States has designated the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) and its armed wing, the Majeed Brigade, as Foreign Terrorist Organizations (FTOs). This move, announced in August 2025, has significantly bolstered international counter-terrorism efforts, particularly in the cooperation context between Pakistan and the US.

The designation reinforces Pakistan-US counter-terrorism ties by aligning international legal and financial tools against the BLA and Majeed Brigade, groups responsible for attacks such as the 2025 Jaffar Express hijacking and suicide bombings in Karachi and Gwadar. This move allows the US government to freeze the groups' assets, criminalize support or funding to them, impose travel bans on their leaders and members, and collaborate with other nations to disrupt their operations globally.

The designation enables the US to effectively target these groups' international networks, curtail their fundraising and operational capacities, and heighten diplomatic pressure on states that might provide support or safe haven. It also highlights the strategic importance of US-Pakistan military and intelligence cooperation, as the designation followed closely on a visit to the US by Pakistan’s military chief, signaling reciprocal commitment to counterterrorism.

The designation sends a strong signal internationally about the US stance on separatist and militant groups operating in the resource-rich Balochistan region, thus internationalizing Pakistan’s security concerns and facilitating multilateral action. The consequences include immediate asset freezes, criminal penalties for support, travel restrictions on leaders, and enhanced bilateral and multilateral intelligence sharing to curb the groups’ activities.

This designation builds upon the BLA’s prior Specially Designated Global Terrorist status since 2019 and elevates the legal and enforcement framework against them. The Majeed Brigade, a deadly affiliate of the BLA, notorious for employing suicide bombings, an uncommon tactic among secular militant groups, was also designated as a terrorist group by the United States on Tuesday.

Pakistan intends to raise the issue at the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), emphasising that there is no better moment than now, following Washington’s designation. Diplomats are optimistic that Pakistan may achieve a similar outcome in designating the BLA and Majeed Brigade as terrorist organizations at the UNSC. However, it's important to note that the process of placing organizations on the UNSC's terror list is time-consuming and immediate action should not be expected.

For more than two decades, Pakistan has been dealing with a worsening insurgency in Balochistan. Pakistan has expressed its concerns about the situation in Balochistan at international forums. In the past, organizations like Jaish-e-Muhammad, Lashkar-e-Taiba, Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), and their leaders have been eventually placed on the UNSC's terror list, but only after years of effort.

Pakistan's position as vice-chair of the UNSC's Counter-Terrorism Committee enhances its influence and access to key decision-makers. The US has not only designated the BLA as a terrorist organization but has also pledged to deepen counterterrorism cooperation against outlawed outfits like the BLA. During clashes between Pakistan and India in May, the BLA expressed open support for India and offered full cooperation. The explicit naming of the BLA in a joint statement marks a significant development, signaling likely coordinated operations between the US and Pakistan in the coming weeks and months.

The designation of the Majeed Brigade as a terrorist group by the United States could significantly bolster the morale of Pakistan's security forces as they prepare to intensify operations against these groups. However, a veto by a member could potentially be employed to appease India in the process of designating the BLA and Majeed Brigade as terrorist organizations.

References:

1. US designates Balochistan Liberation Army as terrorist organization
2. Pakistan-US counter-terrorism ties strengthened by BLA designation
3. US designation of BLA and Majeed Brigade: Internationalizing Pakistan’s security concerns
4. Impact of US designation on BLA and Majeed Brigade's transnational operations
5. Pakistan's position at UNSC's Counter-Terrorism Committee enhances influence
6. The US designation of the Majeed Brigade as a terrorist group could potentially intensify general-news discussions about politics, given its implications for counter-terrorism efforts in the resource-rich Balochistan region.
7. With the US designation of the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) and its armed wing, the Majeed Brigade, as Foreign Terrorist Organizations (FTOs), news outlets are likely to report on the wider impact of this decision on crime-and-justice issues, including the disruption of their operations, froze assets, and travel bans on leaders and members.

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