In an important move before Pakistan PM Imran Khan’s visit to Washington, the United States has listed the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) as “global terrorists”. Pakistan welcomed the US decision stating that “those glorifying these acts of terror against Pakistan are held accountable and brought to justice”.
On Tuesday, BLA was listed as Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT) by the US State Department, which also meant that economic sanctions were imposed not only on the group but on anyone associated with it.
“BLA is an armed separatist group that targets security forces and civilians, mainly in ethnic Baloch areas of Pakistan,” the US State Department said. The State Department has cited a number of reasons for the listing including attacks against Chinese engineers in August 2018 along with a major attack on the Chinese consulate in Karachi in November 2018.
“BLA remains a proscribed entity in Pakistan since 2006 and in recent times has carried out several terrorist attacks in the country. It is important that the perpetrators, organisers, financers [financiers] and external sponsors including those glorifying these acts of terror against Pakistan are held accountable and brought to justice.” Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in its statement following the announcement.
The decision comes ahead of an all-important meeting between US President Trump and Pakistani PM Imran Khan in Washington later this month.
There were mixed reactions on the social media after the decision:
