Pakistan’s latest attempt to brand the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) and its armed wing, the Majeed Brigade, as terrorist organisations at the United Nations has run into a roadblock. The United States, the United Kingdom, and France have placed what is called a “technical hold” on the proposal, saying that the BLA cannot be linked directly to global terror networks like Al Qaeda or ISIS — a requirement under the UN’s sanctions committee rules.
Pakistan has been trying for years to get the BLA blacklisted internationally, pointing to the group’s history of attacks across the country. Backed by China, Pakistan’s envoy to the UN, Ambassador Asim Iftikhar Ahmed, told the Security Council last week that designating the BLA would help curb violence. “Pakistan and China have jointly submitted to the 1267 Sanctions Committee a request to designate the BLA and Majeed Brigade. We hope the Council will act swiftly on this listing to curb their terrorist activities,” he said.
But the US, UK, and France were not convinced. Their argument is that while the BLA has carried out violent acts inside Pakistan, there is no evidence that it has ties to international jihadist groups. Without such links, the UN’s 1267 sanctions committee — which specifically targets Al Qaeda- and ISIS-related groups — cannot move forward.
The BLA is not a new name in Pakistan. Emerging in the early 2000s, it has long fought for Balochistan’s independence, claiming that the Pakistani state exploits the province’s rich natural resources while leaving its people poor. The killing of tribal leader Nawab Akbar Khan Bugti in 2006 became a turning point. For many Baloch, Bugti had been the last bridge between their movement and the Pakistani state. His death gave rise to a more radical form of militancy.
The group’s Majeed Brigade is infamous for suicide attacks, including strikes on Karachi airport and the Gwadar Port Authority in 2024. In March this year, the group hijacked the Jaffar Express train, holding over 300 passengers hostage and killing 31.
Because of this violent record, the US had already declared the BLA and its brigade as Foreign Terrorist Organizations (FTOs) in August, and listed them as Specially Designated Global Terrorists back in 2019. Pakistan believed these American designations would help its case at the UN — but the Western powers appear to be drawing a line between Pakistan’s internal insurgencies and global jihadist networks.
For Islamabad, getting the BLA on the UN terror list would have been a diplomatic victory, strengthening its hand against insurgents at home. For China, it also matters because BLA militants have often targeted projects tied to Beijing’s Belt and Road investments in Balochistan.
But with the technical hold now in place, Pakistan will have to present fresh evidence to prove a connection to global terror networks. Otherwise, the proposal will lapse after six months.
Meanwhile, India is keeping a close watch. Pakistan has often accused New Delhi of quietly backing the BLA, charges India firmly rejects. The stalled move at the UN once again brings the larger geopolitical tussle into the open: where one country sees terrorism, another might see insurgency — and the lines are not always clear.
At its heart, the story of the BLA is not just about bombs and blacklists. It is also about a community that feels unheard, a province that remains underdeveloped despite its wealth, and a conflict that refuses to fade.
