US Blocks Pakistan and China's Bid to Label Balochistan Liberation Army as Terrorist Group

In a significant diplomatic move, the United States has blocked a proposal from Pakistan and China aimed at designating the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) and its Majeed Brigade as terrorist organizations under UN sanctions. This decision comes after Pakistan's ambassador urged the Security Council to take action against these groups, citing their operations from Afghanistan. The US, along with France and the UK, exercised its veto power, highlighting the complexities of international relations surrounding terrorism and regional security. The BLA has been linked to numerous attacks, raising concerns about its activities and the implications of this veto on Pakistan-China relations.

By Narendra Chaudhary Jun 11, 2026, 11:06 IST

US Intervention at the UN Security Council

The United States has thwarted a collaborative attempt by Pakistan and China to classify the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) and its Majeed Brigade faction as terrorist organizations under the United Nations sanctions framework. This proposal was submitted to the UNSC's 1267 Al Qaeda Sanctions Committee in September of the previous year, aiming to include the BLA and Majeed Brigade on the UN's global terrorist list.

However, diplomatic sources indicate that this initiative was blocked this month by the US, alongside France and the UK, all of which hold veto power as permanent members of the Security Council.

Pakistan's Advocacy for UN Action

Pakistan's Ambassador to the UN, Asim Iftikhar Ahmed, had previously called for action against these groups during a UNSC meeting. He stated, "Pakistan and China have jointly submitted a request to the 1267 Sanctions Committee to designate the BLA and Majeed Brigade. We anticipate the Council will act promptly on this listing to mitigate their terrorist activities." Ahmed also accused various terrorist organizations of operating from Afghanistan.

He noted, "Entities such as ISIL-K, Al-Qaeda, Tehrik-e Taliban Pakistan, East Turkistan Islamic Movement, BLA, and the Majeed Brigade are based in Afghan sanctuaries, with over 60 terrorist camps facilitating cross-border infiltration and assaults." Currently, Pakistan is a non-permanent member of the 15-member UN Security Council for the 2025-26 term and chairs the UNSC's 1988 Taliban Sanctions Committee while serving as vice-chair of the Counter-Terrorism Committee.

China's Previous Actions Against India-Backed Listings

This situation is significant as China has often leveraged its position in the Security Council to obstruct efforts by India and its allies, including the US, to designate terrorists and organizations based in Pakistan under the same 1267 sanctions framework. While the US has blocked the UN listing proposal, it has already classified the Balochistan Liberation Army and its alias, the Majeed Brigade, as a Foreign Terrorist Organization.

The US State Department has previously asserted that including the Majeed Brigade in the BLA designation reflects the Trump Administration's dedication to combating terrorism. The Department emphasized, "The actions taken by the Department of State illustrate the Trump Administration's commitment to countering terrorism. Terrorist designations are crucial in our battle against this menace and effectively limit support for terrorist activities." The BLA was labeled a Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT) entity by the US in 2019 following a series of violent incidents.

According to the State Department, the BLA has claimed responsibility for several significant attacks, including suicide bombings near Karachi airport and the Gwadar Port Authority Complex in 2024. The organization also took responsibility for the March 2025 hijacking of the Jaffar Express train, which was traveling from Quetta to Peshawar, resulting in the deaths of 31 civilians and security personnel, with over 300 passengers taken hostage.