The US State Department announced on August 11, 2025, the designation of the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) and its militant wing, the Majeed Brigade, as a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO), escalating its previous 2019 Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT) status.
This move, which imposes severe legal, financial, and diplomatic restrictions, has sparked debate about its motivations and potential consequences for regional dynamics, particularly in Pakistan, where the BLA operates as a separatist group seeking independence for Balochistan province.
Reasons for the designation
The BLA, formed in the early 2000s, has waged a violent campaign against Pakistani security forces, government infrastructure, and foreign projects, notably those tied to the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).
The US cited a series of high-profile attacks, including suicide bombings near Karachi airport and Gwadar port in 2024, and the March 2025 hijacking of the Jaffar Express train, which killed 31 civilians and security personnel while holding over 300 passengers hostage, as justification for the FTO label. These attacks, often claimed by the Majeed Brigade, the BLA’s suicide squad, have targeted Pakistani state assets and Chinese nationals, raising concerns about regional stability and foreign investment security.
The timing of the designation coincides with a visit by Pakistan’s army chief, Field Marshal Asim Munir, to Washington and a recent US-Pakistan trade agreement aimed at developing Balochistan’s untapped oil reserves.
Analysts suggest the move reflects a strategic alignment with Pakistan, a key partner in counterterrorism and regional trade. The Trump administration’s emphasis on counterterrorism, as articulated by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, underscores the designation as part of a broader effort to curb violent groups disrupting US interests.
Pakistan has long accused India of supporting the BLA, a charge New Delhi denies. The US designation does not endorse this claim. However, the move comes amid strained US-India relations.
Recent US tariffs on Indian imports, linked to India’s continued trade with Russia, suggest a broader geopolitical context where the US may be leveraging the BLA designation to pressure India indirectly while strengthening ties with Pakistan.
On the other hand, the designation also aligns with the Trump administration’s broader counterterrorism agenda, as seen in recent designations of groups like The Resistance Front (TRF) for the April 2025 Pahalgam attack.
Implications of the FTO Designation
The FTO status, enacted under Section 219 of the Immigration and Nationality Act and Executive Order 13224, imposes stringent measures: it criminalizes material support to the BLA, freezes its US-based assets, and bars members from entering the US.
These restrictions aim to disrupt the BLA’s global funding and recruitment networks, which reportedly rely on extortion, smuggling, and coal mine revenues in Balochistan.
The designation is a diplomatic victory for Pakistan, reinforcing Islamabad’s portrayal of the BLA as a terrorist group rather than a separatist movement. Pakistani officials, including Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry, hailed it as a ‘great win,’ suggesting it validates their counterterrorism efforts and could isolate alleged foreign backers.
Enhanced US-Pakistan intelligence sharing and joint operations may bolster Pakistan’s military campaigns in Balochistan, where recent clashes killed 50 BLA militants and nine Pakistani soldiers.
The FTO label increases pressure on Afghanistan, where the BLA reportedly maintains a presence, to crack down on its activities. It also complicates the BLA’s international operations, as the designation, backed by the US, UK, China, Iran, and the EU, isolates the group globally.
However, it may strain US-India relations further, given Pakistan’s accusations against India and the timing alongsideUS trade disputes with New Delhi.
The designation could intensify Pakistan’s military operations in the resource-rich but underdeveloped province, potentially escalating violence. Baloch activists argue the BLA’s actions stem from legitimate grievances over economic marginalization and resource exploitation. The FTO label risks alienating Baloch communities further, as it dismisses their political demands, potentially fueling radicalization rather than resolving the insurgency.
The BLA’s attacks on Chinese nationals and CPEC projects, such as the 2018 Chinese Consulate attack and 2019 Gwadar hotel assault, have strained Pakistan-China relations. The U.S. designation may reassure China by signaling a commitment to regional stability, potentially encouraging further CPEC investments, though it does little to address underlying local discontent.
Is it a decisive victory for Pakistan against the BLA?
Pakistan’s ability to capitalize on this diplomatic win depends on its success in addressing Balochistan’s socio-economic issues, as military solutions alone have failed to quell the insurgency since 1947.
Geopolitically, the move strengthens US-Pakistan ties but risks complicating relations with India, especially if New Delhi perceives it as tacit support for Pakistan’s accusations. At any rate, the designation of the BLA and Majeed Brigade as FTO reflects a strategic alignment with Pakistan amid evolving South Asian dynamics.
While aimed at curbing terrorism and protecting regional investments, it risks escalating tensions in Balochistan and complicating US-India relations. The long-term impact hinges on whether Pakistan can address the root causes of Baloch unrest, as the FTO label alone is unlikely to end the decades-long insurgency.