Why US blocks Pakistan-China move to blacklist BLA at UN

In August 2025, the US government designated the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) and its Majeed Brigade suicide wing as Foreign Terrorist Organisations (FTOs). The designation was announced on August 11 by the Department of State, and a notice was published in the Federal Register on August 12. As an FTO, providing material support, such as funds or weapons, to the BLA or Majeed Brigade is a federal crime in the US.

Just over a month later, on September 19, 2025, the US opposed a Pakistan-China proposal to blacklist the BLA at the United Nations. The US acted in concert with the UK and France in placing a “technical hold” on the proposal.

Pakistan’s Permanent Representative to the UN had argued before the committee that the BLA and Majeed Brigade were operating from alleged training camps in Afghanistan and were responsible for attacks inside Pakistan. On this basis, Islamabad and Beijing sought to place the groups on the 1267 sanctions list, which imposes stringent measures such as asset freezes, travel bans and an arms embargo on entities linked to al-Qaeda, the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) or their affiliates.

However, three permanent members of the Security Council, the US, the UK and France, stated that Pakistan and China had yet to provide sufficient proof linking the BLA or the Majeed Brigade to global terrorist networks. They placed a “technical hold” on the proposal, citing insufficient evidence to link the BLA to al-Qaeda or ISIL, which is a requirement for designation under the 1267 sanctions list.

This development is widely seen as a diplomatic setback for both Pakistan and China. For years, the two countries have lobbied international forums to secure recognition of Baloch resistance groups as terrorist organisations but have so far failed to win consensus at the UN level.

US officials argued that while the BLA is a dangerous terrorist organisation, it does not meet the necessary criteria for inclusion on this particular UN list. The US action at the UN is perhaps a strategic move related to some complex geopolitical factors.

Firstly, by blocking the UN blacklisting, the US has sent a subtle message that it will not assist China in protecting its assets and interests in the region. The BLA targets Chinese investments in Pakistan’s Balochistan province, particularly projects under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).

Secondly, the US hold on the UN listing could also be a nuanced message to Pakistan. While the US recognises Pakistan’s security concerns by designating the BLA and the Majeed Brigade as FTOs, it is also signalling that it will not fully align with Pakistan’s interests at the UN, especially when partnered with China.

China, which has invested heavily in the CPEC and infrastructure projects in Gwadar, has been a particular target of attacks by Baloch pro-independence groups. Beijing had hoped that UN approval would bolster international backing for tougher measures against the Baloch resistance movement. The committee’s decision, however, has placed those efforts on hold.

Decades-long Baloch Nationalist Movement

Pakistan’s Balochistan province has seen a surge in deadly attacks, fuelled by demands for independence and control over local resources. The Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) has claimed responsibility for these deadly attacks. Who are these rebels, and what is the conflict all about?

The Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) is the most well-known Baloch separatist group. Other separatist groups include Lashkar-e-Balochistan and the Balochistan Liberation Front. These separatist groups argue that the local population does not receive a fair share of the profits from the resources of the province, and that as a result poverty is rife there.

The BLA traces its ideological roots to the decades-long Baloch nationalist movement, which seeks greater autonomy—and in many cases, complete independence—for the Baloch people. The movement began in the 1940s, following Balochistan’s controversial accession to Pakistan in 1948. Calls for autonomy intensified over the years, often erupting into violent uprisings. The BLA formally surfaced in the early 2000s as a distinct insurgent faction advocating for a sovereign Baloch state. It claims to be fighting against what it calls exploitation of Balochistan’s natural resources and political marginalisation by Islamabad.

The Baloch are a Sunni Muslim ethnic group who live on both sides of the Iran-Pakistan border and also in parts of southern Afghanistan. For decades, efforts for autonomy or independence have been met with violent suppression on both sides of the Iran-Pakistan border. In Pakistan, such efforts are viewed as attempts to fragment the nation, while in Iran, the situation is further complicated by the Baloch being a Sunni Muslim minority in a predominantly Shiite country.

Balochistan is the most sparsely populated province of Pakistan. Although it occupies 44 per cent of the land area, its population is just 7 per cent of Pakistan’s population. Balochistan is rich in mineral resources. Coal, sulphur, chromite, iron ore, barite, marble, quartzite, and limestone are all abundant in the province. Balochistan has significant oil and natural gas reserves and also considerable quantities of copper and gold.

Baloch separatism is deep-rooted in history. Balochistan consisted of four princely states under the British Raj—Kalat, Makran, Las Bela and Kharan. In 1947, the Khan of Kalat, the ruler of the largest of these princely states, chose independence, which was an option given to all the 535 princely states of British India. The other Balochi chiefs also expressed their preference for a separate identity.

However, Pakistan sent in its army, which forced the Khan of Kalat to give up his independence. The Khan signed the instrument of accession on March 27, 1948, over seven months after the formation of Pakistan. Even after the accession of Kalat to Pakistan, Baloch separatism has continued to rear its menacing head from time to time. Major conflicts between Baloch separatists and the Pakistan army have taken place regularly.

BLA’s Attacks Against China

The BLA is the largest Baloch militant group and has been fighting an insurgency against the Pakistani government for decades, seeking independence for Balochistan. It is now allied with the Pakistan Taliban, and both target the Pakistan security forces. Chinese cooperation with the Pakistan government is seen by the BLA as a threat to their cause. The region of Balochistan is a major focus of the CPEC. The Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) opposes the Chinese investments in the province, saying they do not benefit the local people. The influx of Chinese nationals for developing the CPEC has caused conflicts with the Balochistan Liberation Army and other separatist groups, which perceive China as a joint oppressor.

The Balochistan Liberation Army has severely criticised China for ignoring its warnings not to enter into deals and agreements with Pakistan regarding Balochistan. They also accuse Beijing of exploiting their resources and land and fear that the influx of Chinese investments and workers might further marginalise the Baloch people. A large number of Chinese are working in Gwadar, the port in the restive Balochistan province which is being linked to China’s Xinjiang province as part of the $65 billion CPEC.

Attacks by the militants from the BLA and also from the Pakistan Taliban targeting Chinese nationals had occurred earlier too, but they increased sharply since 2018 after construction work on the CPEC projects picked up steam. Chinese nationals have been the victims of terror attacks more commonly in Pakistan than in any other country.

In November 2018, the Chinese consulate in Karachi was attacked by the militants of BLA. Two police officers were killed in the attack. In 2020, the Balochistan Liberation Army also took responsibility for attacks on the Pakistan Stock Exchange in 2020, calling it an attack against “Chinese exploitative plans in Balochistan”.

In July 2021, a bus carrying Chinese engineers was hit by another bus which was carrying explosives, killing 13 people, including 9 Chinese engineers. In August 2021, a suicide bomber from the BLA targeted a vehicle carrying Chinese nationals in Gwadar. Two children were killed. In April 2022, a female suicide bomber killed three Chinese teachers in Karachi. The BLA claimed to have carried out this attack through its “first female suicide bomber”.

In August 2023, a convoy of vehicles carrying Chinese engineers working on the Beijing-financed Gwadar Port in Pakistan was attacked by the militants of the Balochistan Liberation Army. In March 2024, five Chinese engineers and a Pakistani national were killed in an attack near the Dasu hydropower project in Shangla, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. In August 2024 the BLA launched coordinated attacks in Balochistan, killing over 70 people, including targeted attacks on Chinese interests like the port of Gwadar. In October 2024, two Chinese nationals were killed in a suicide bombing near Karachi’s airport. The BLA claimed responsibility for the attack.

The BLA has said it is conducting attacks to get Chinese-backed projects out of the province and to establish an independent Baloch government. Pakistan is conducting a military crackdown on the Balochistan Liberation Army. A large number of Balochi guerrilla fighters and civilians have been killed in the operations conducted by the Pakistan army. Thousands of Balochis have also disappeared after they were abducted by Pakistani security forces.

The Voice for Baloch Missing Persons, a non-profit organisation representing family members of those who disappeared in Balochistan, says approximately 7,000 cases have been registered with them since 2004. The crackdown continues to generate controversy, with human rights organisations raising concerns about alleged abuses, including arbitrary detentions and enforced disappearances. Pakistan denies these allegations, but the conflict shows no sign of ending, despite the military’s repeated claims of having quelled the insurgency.

The Pakistani government has accused India of bankrolling the “Free Balochistan” advertisement campaign in Europe and the US. Pakistan also alleged that India is supporting the BLA. What Pakistan must realise is that unnecessary finger-pointing at India is not the answer and that long-term peace is not possible without meeting the legitimate aspirations and demands of the people of Balochistan.

The writer is a retired Indian diplomat and had previously served as Ambassador in Kuwait and Morocco and as Consul General in New York. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstpost’s views.