Washington adds stricter sanctions on Pakistan-based separatist group BLA (Social media)
International News: The United States has upgraded its classification of the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA), applying stricter rules that expand the scope of its counterterrorism measures. This change not only blocks financial transactions but also criminalizes any form of support to the group. The move comes alongside renewed US efforts to engage with Pakistan in both security and economic partnerships.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced that the updated designation is part of Washington’s strategy to cut off resources to terrorist organizations. Under the new rules, anyone within US jurisdiction who assists the BLA—whether financially, logistically, or in other ways—can face prosecution. The earlier label primarily targeted funding, but this expansion closes additional loopholes.
The BLA, which has long sought independence for Balochistan, has been responsible for multiple deadly attacks over the past two decades. In 2019, it was formally listed as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT) organization. In March this year, it claimed responsibility for a train assault between Quetta and Peshawar, killing soldiers and civilians. The incident further underscored the group’s reach and operational capacity.
Balochistan is Pakistan’s largest province by area but remains its least developed. With around 15 million people, it has faced at least five separatist uprisings since 1947. While initial movements demanded greater control over local resources, the current insurgency pushes for full independence. The region hosts the strategic Gwadar deep-sea port, a crucial point in linking southwestern China to the Arabian Sea, making it a geopolitical hotspot.
Pakistan accuses India of supporting the BLA, a charge New Delhi denies. The US has also moved against other groups in the region, designating The Resistance Front (TRF)—said to be connected to Lashkar-e-Taiba—as a foreign terrorist organization after an April attack in Indian-administered Kashmir killed 26 people. President Trump has claimed credit for helping broker a ceasefire between India and Pakistan in May, but India disputes his version.
Despite ongoing security concerns, Washington is pursuing economic ties with Islamabad. In June, Trump welcomed Pakistan’s army chief, General Asim Munir, to the White House, signaling stronger defense collaboration. The US is also exploring investments in Pakistan’s natural resource sector and emerging cryptocurrency market, reflecting a broader, dual-track approach that combines security cooperation with economic engagement.
Copyright © 2025 Top Indian News
