Pakistan welcomes US designation of BLA, Majeed Brigade as foreign terrorist organisations

US says committed to counterterrorism cooperation with Pakistan

 US Embassy says meeting aimed to advance shared resolve against terrorism

Staff Report

ISLAMABAD: The United States has reaffirmed its commitment to countering terrorism in all its forms during a counterterrorism dialogue with Pakistan, the US Embassy in Islamabad said on Tuesday.

The dialogue took place a day after the US State Department listed the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) and Majeed Brigade as foreign terrorist organisations after a string of deadly assaults claimed by the group.

In a statement, the embassy said Acting Coordinator for Counterterrorism Gregory LoGerfo and Chargé d’Affaires Natalie Baker took part in the US-Pakistan Counterterrorism Dialogue.

According to the statement, the engagement was aimed at advancing the two countries’ shared resolve to combat what it described as a “global threat”. The embassy underscored that Washington “remains committed” to this cooperation.

Washington had already listed the BLA under the less severe label of specially designated global terrorists, which targets financial resources, before toughening the ban on Monday.

The new step comes as US President Donald Trump increases contact with Pakistan after engagement with Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir.

In March, Pakistani authorities detained and extradited to the United States Sharifullah, who the US says also goes by the name Jafar and is a member of the Daesh-K. President Donald Trump had also thanked Pakistan for his arrest.

The State Department, in response, had also said that United States-Pakistan cooperation on counter-terrorism remains vitally important.

The Daesh operative allegedly helped carry out the 2021 suicide bombing outside Kabul airport during the chaotic US military withdrawal from Afghanistan, which killed at least 170 Afghans as well as 13 US troops who were securing the airport’s perimeter.

Pakistan on Tuesday welcomed the US’ decision to designate the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) and Majeed Brigade to its Foreign Terrorist Organisation list, according to a Foreign Office (FO) press release.

The US State Department made the announcement on Monday, stating that the designations demonstrated the US President Donald Trump’s commitment to counter-terrorism.

In Tuesday’s press release, the FO emphasised that Pakistan had proscribed the Majeed Brigade — BLA’s suicide squad — as a terrorist entity since July 18, 2024. The BLA itself was proscribed in 2006, according to the National Counter-Terrorism Authority’s list of proscribed organisations.

“BLA/Majeed Brigade is involved in multiple terrorist attacks in Pakistan, including the heinous Jaffer Express terrorist incident and the Khuzdar bus attack that resulted in the loss of precious lives,” the release said.

soldiers.

“Pakistan remains a steadfast bulwark against terrorism. Our sacrifices have secured critical counter-terrorism successes, not only for the country, but for regional stability and global security.”

It added that the country remained unwavering in its resolve to protect its citizens and eliminate terrorism in all its forms and manifestations. “Pakistan remains committed to cooperating with the international community to overcome this common challenge.”

Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi welcomed the US decision and sincerely thanked US President Donald Trump and his administration.

“This is a major diplomatic victory for Pakistan and another defeat for our eternal enemy,” Naqvi was quoted as saying in a post on X by his ministry.

“This move by the US is an acknowledgement of Pakistan’s immense sacrifices in the war against terrorism,” adding that Pak-US cooperation against terrorism is welcome.

“A path has been created for action on a global level against the BLA and Majeed Brigade.”

The state news agency reported that security sources said that Field Marshal Asim Munir’s recent visit to the US had significantly contributed to the global recognition of Pakistan’s stance on regional security and had once again “exposed India’s involvement in state-sponsored terrorism”.

According to the sources, “India’s covert support for terrorism has been brought to light through Field Marshal Munir’s successful military diplomacy.

“The US designation of BLA and the Majeed Brigade as terrorist organisations is a direct outcome of the field marshal’s efforts.”

The sources emphasised that the US move to blacklist the BLA and Majeed Brigade as global terrorist organisations represented international validation of Pakistan’s position.

Security sources concluded by warning that India’s terrorist designs posed a serious threat not only to regional stability but also to global peace.

Islamabad had previously requested that the Majeed Brigade be listed as an international terrorist organisation. In 2019, the State Department labelled the BLA as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT), making it a crime for anyone in the US to assist the militants, but did not designate the Majeed Brigade at that time.