Pakistan, U.S. Reaffirm Commitment to Counterterrorism Amid New BLA Designations
ISLAMABAD — Pakistan and the United States have reaffirmed their shared commitment to fighting terrorism in all its forms, following the U.S. designation of the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) and its Majeed Brigade faction as Foreign Terrorist Organizations (FTOs).
The announcement came a day after Secretary of State Marco Rubio confirmed that the BLA and Majeed Brigade would now be listed under Section 219 of the Immigration and Nationality Act and Executive Order 13224. The Majeed Brigade has also been added as an alias to BLA’s previous designation as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT) entity.
The latest round of the Pakistan-U.S. Counterterrorism Dialogue was held in Islamabad on Tuesday and co-chaired by Pakistan’s Special Secretary for the United Nations, Nabeel Munir, and U.S. Acting Coordinator for Counterterrorism, Gregory D. LoGerfo.
Both delegations stressed the urgent need for effective strategies to address threats posed by the BLA, ISIS-Khorasan, and Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP). The United States also praised Pakistan for its continued efforts to contain terrorist groups that threaten regional and global security.
The U.S. delegation expressed condolences for the loss of civilians and law enforcement personnel in terrorist attacks in Pakistan, including the Jaffar Express train attack and the bombing of a school bus in Khuzdar.
Officials from both countries highlighted the importance of strengthening institutional frameworks and developing capabilities to tackle security challenges, including the misuse of emerging technologies by terrorist organizations.
The BLA, originally designated as an SDGT in 2019, has claimed responsibility for multiple deadly attacks over the years. In 2024, the group carried out suicide bombings near Karachi Airport and the Gwadar Port Authority Complex. Most recently, in March 2025, the BLA hijacked the Jaffar Express traveling from Quetta to Peshawar, killing 31 civilians and security personnel and holding over 300 hostages.
The dialogue emphasized that sustained and structured engagement between Pakistan and the United States is vital to promoting peace, stability, and regional security.
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