Quetta (Balochistan, Pakistan), August 13 (Kiran News). The US decision to designate the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) and its suicide wing, the Majeed Brigade, as terrorist organisations is likely to have only symbolic impact, according to analysts quoted by The Balochistan Post. They point out that the group’s funding and operations rely on networks beyond the reach of US sanctions.
The BLA, an insurgent group active in Pakistan’s Balochistan province, was previously designated as a terrorist organisation by the US in 2019 and by the UK in 2006. Analysts believe the latest move is a diplomatic gain for Islamabad but unlikely to weaken the group’s operational capacity.
Funding and Reach Outside Western Systems
The report notes that the BLA’s survival depends on manpower and funding derived from illicit activities rather than formal banking channels or Western sources. It has no political presence in the West, and its members do not travel to the US or Europe, making travel bans and asset freezes largely ineffective. Past sanctions, such as the 2019 US listing, did not diminish its strength, and the inclusion of the Majeed Brigade is also expected to bring little change.
Political Timing and US–Pakistan Ties
The announcement comes less than two weeks after Washington and Islamabad finalised a trade agreement that may allow US firms to help develop Pakistan’s untapped oil reserves in resource-rich Balochistan and lower tariffs on Pakistani exports. Analysts describe current US–Pakistan ties as the “best in years,” with the Pakistani government even nominating former US President Donald Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize. Some view the move as part of a diplomatic quid pro quo, similar to 2019 when the BLA was blacklisted after Pakistan helped facilitate US–Taliban peace talks.
Terror Listings as Political Tools
The report highlights past US reversals on designations, such as removing the Haqqani Network and Syria’s Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (formerly Al-Nusra Front) leaders from bounty and terror lists when geopolitical priorities shifted. This history suggests the BLA’s designation may serve more as a political tool than a decisive counter-terrorism measure.
Symbolism vs. Ground Reality
For Pakistan, the designation reinforces its claim that the BLA is not a local movement, while for Baloch fighters it could bolster their perceived importance in a decades-long struggle. On the ground, the conflict in Balochistan — fought over land, resources, and political control — is expected to continue regardless of US sanctions.
My name is Bhupendra Singh Chundawat. I am an experienced content writer with several years of expertise in the field. Currently, I contribute to Daily Kiran, creating engaging and informative content across a variety of categories including technology, health, travel, education, and automobiles. My goal is to deliver accurate, insightful, and captivating information through my words to help readers stay informed and empowered.
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