Ashraf AboArafe
Pakistan has officially welcomed the United States’ decision to designate the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) and its suicide-attack wing, the Majeed Brigade, as Foreign Terrorist Organisations (FTOs).
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Islamabad described the move as a “positive and significant step” in the global fight against terrorism, noting that both groups have been involved in a series of deadly attacks targeting civilians, security forces, and development projects in Pakistan—particularly in the province of Balochistan.
According to Pakistani officials, the designation by Washington will strengthen international efforts to curb the financing, recruitment, and cross-border operations of these groups. It also underscores the importance of global cooperation against non-state actors engaged in violent separatism and extremism.
The BLA, active for over two decades, has claimed responsibility for numerous bombings and targeted killings, while the Majeed Brigade has gained notoriety for its high-profile suicide attacks, including assaults on Chinese nationals and projects linked to the China–Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).
Islamabad has repeatedly urged the international community to take stronger action against such organisations, which it says operate with support from external elements seeking to destabilise Pakistan. The US decision, officials say, sends a clear signal of solidarity in counter-terrorism efforts and is expected to have both operational and diplomatic impact.
