Following a significant diplomatic win in Washington, Pakistan is set to formally request the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) to designate the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) and its armed wing, the Majeed Brigade, as terrorist organizations. This move follows the U.S. designation of the Majeed Brigade as a terror group, building on the BLA’s prior listing in 2019. This diplomatic achievement is expected to boost the morale of Pakistan’s security forces as they prepare to intensify operations against these groups.
The Majeed Brigade, the BLA’s most lethal faction, is infamous for its use of suicide bombings—a rare tactic for a secular militant group—and has even deployed female attackers. A diplomatic source shared with The News that Pakistan intends to leverage the U.S. designation to make its case at the UNSC.
Pakistan’s position as vice-chair of the UNSC’s Counter-Terrorism Committee provides it with greater leverage and access to key decision-makers. However, the source cautioned that such processes are often slow, and immediate action should not be anticipated. Past efforts to list groups like Jaish-e-Muhammad and Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) took years, often facing delays due to opposition, particularly from China in response to Indian proposals.
Diplomats are hopeful that Pakistan is well-positioned for success this time, although they acknowledge the possibility of a veto to appease India. Still, such a move by India could backfire, as it might be seen as tacitly supporting Baloch militants.
For over two decades, Pakistan has been grappling with a worsening insurgency in Balochistan, with India frequently accused of fueling the unrest—an accusation supported by the capture of Indian spy Kulbhushan Jadhav in the region. Pakistan has consistently raised these concerns on the international stage. In May of this year, during a clash between Pakistan and India, the BLA openly declared its support for India.
The U.S. has not only designated these groups but has also committed to deepening counterterrorism cooperation, particularly against outlawed outfits like the BLA. The explicit mention of the BLA in a joint statement from the recent counterterrorism dialogue signals a new phase of likely coordinated operations between the two countries in the coming months. The statement read, “Both delegations underscored the critical importance of developing effective approaches to terrorist threats, including those posed by Balochistan Liberation Army, ISIS-Khorasan and Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan.”
