The United States has blocked a joint initiative by Pakistan and China at the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) to designate the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) and its affiliate, the Majeed Brigade, as terrorist entities. The move, which took place this month, was also opposed by France and the United Kingdom, both permanent veto-wielding members of the council.
Islamabad and Beijing had submitted their joint request to the UNSC's 1267 Al Qaeda Sanctions Committee in September last year, seeking to blacklist the BLA and the Majeed Brigade. However, the proposal was blocked by the three Western permanent members, according to sources familiar with the matter.
Pakistan's Stance at the UN
Pakistan's Permanent Representative to the UN, Ambassador Asim Iftikhar Ahmed, had previously highlighted the threat posed by terrorist groups operating from Afghan sanctuaries. He stated that entities such as ISIL-K, Al-Qaeda, Tehrik-e Taliban Pakistan, East Turkistan Islamic Movement, BLA, and the Majeed Brigade operate from over 60 terrorist camps in Afghanistan, facilitating cross-border infiltration and attacks.
"Pakistan and China have jointly submitted to the 1267 Sanctions Committee a request to designate the BLA and Majeed Brigade. We hope the Council will act swiftly on this listing to curb their terrorist activities," Ahmed said during a UNSC meeting.
UNSC Membership Dynamics
Pakistan currently serves as a non-permanent member of the 15-nation Security Council for the 2025-26 term, while China holds a permanent veto-wielding seat. Pakistan also chaired the 1988 Taliban Sanctions Committee in 2025 and served as vice-chair of the Counter-Terrorism Committee.
Previously, China had put on hold several listing proposals by India and its partners, including the US, to designate Pakistan-based terrorists and entities under the 1267 sanctions regime.
US Designation of BLA and Majeed Brigade
The US has already designated the Balochistan Liberation Army and its alias, the Majeed Brigade, as a Foreign Terrorist Organization. The State Department added the Majeed Brigade as an alias to BLA's previous Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT) designation.
"The action taken by the Department of State demonstrates the Trump Administration's commitment to countering terrorism. Terrorist designations play a critical role in our fight against this scourge and are an effective way to curtail support for terrorist activities," the State Department stated.
BLA was originally designated as an SDGT by Washington in 2019 following a series of terrorist attacks. Since then, the group, including its Majeed Brigade wing, has claimed responsibility for numerous attacks. In 2024, BLA claimed suicide attacks near Karachi airport and the Gwadar Port Authority Complex. In 2025, the organization claimed responsibility for the March hijacking of the Jaffar Express train traveling from Quetta to Peshawar, resulting in the deaths of 31 civilians and security personnel and the hostage-taking of over 300 passengers.
