The United States has officially designated the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) and its operational wing, the Majeed Brigade, as Foreign Terrorist Organisations (FTOs).
The announcement was made by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who emphasised the Trump administration’s commitment to curbing global terrorism.
The designation criminalises any form of support to these groups within US jurisdiction and adds the Majeed Brigade as an alias to BLA’s earlier listing as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT) entity, first issued in 2019.
The BLA has claimed responsibility for multiple deadly attacks, including the 2024 suicide bombings near Karachi airport and the Gwadar Port Authority, and the March 2025 hijacking of the Jaffar Express that left 31 dead and over 300 hostages.
Pakistan’s Foreign Office had earlier urged the global community to adopt non-discriminatory policies in counterterrorism efforts, specifically calling for the inclusion of the Majeed Brigade in international terror lists. Balochistan Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti welcomed the US decision, crediting Field Marshal Asim Munir and the federal government for effectively presenting Pakistan’s case.
“This is a victory for truth and justice. These groups have long shed innocent blood under the false cover of ethnicity and rights,” Bugti stated.
The move marks a shift in US-Pakistan relations, with President Trump increasing diplomatic engagement with Islamabad, contrasting with the Biden administration’s previous stance.
