Pakistan welcomed the United States decision to designate the Balach Liberation Army (Bla) on Tuesday and Majeed’s brigade to his list of foreign terrorist organizations, according to a press release from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (FO).
The United States Department of State made the announcement yesterday, stating that the designations demonstrated the commitment of the president of the United States, Donald Trump, with counter-terrorism.
In today’s press release, FO emphasized that Pakistan had banned the Majeed Brigade, the Bla Suicide squad, as a terrorist entity since July 18, 2024. The Bla itself was banned in 2006, according to the list of proscribed organizations of the National Contractorism Authority.
“The Bla/Majeed Brigade is involved in multiple terrorist attacks in Pakistan, including the atrocious terrorist incident of Jaffer Express and the Khuzdar bus attack that resulted in the loss of precious lives,” the statement said.
At least 26 hostages lost their lives in the attack of Jaffar Express in March, so the Bla realized the responsibility. In the Khuzdar bus attack, 10 people, including two students, lost their lives during a suicidal attack on a school bus in May.
The group was also behind the 2024 attack near the Karachi airport, which killed three people, including two Chinese nationals, as well as the attack of the Gwadar Port Authority complex, which claimed the lives of eight soldiers.
“Pakistan remains a firm bastion against terrorism. Our sacrifices have ensured critical hits of contribution, not only for the country, but also for regional stability and global security.”
He added that the country remained unwavering in its determination to protect its citizens and eliminate terrorism in all its forms and manifestations. “Pakistan remains committed to cooperation with the international community to overcome this common challenge.”
Islamabad had previously requested that the Majeed brigade appeared as an international terrorist organization. In 2019, the State Department described Bla as a specially designated global terrorist (SDGT), which became a crime for anyone in the United States to help militants, but did not designate the Majeed brigade at that time.
The designations of FTO are carried out by the Secretary of State, after section 219 of the Immigration and Nationality Law (INA), and “they are an effective means to reduce support for terrorist activities and press groups to get out of the terrorism business.”
Meanwhile, SDGT designations are aimed at individuals and groups under executive order 13224, even if they are not part of a formally recognized organization.
