In diplomatic triumph for Pakistan, US designates BLA, its alias Majeed Brigade foreign terrorist outfit

WASHINGTON/ ISLAMABAD: The United States has designated the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) and its alias, the Majeed Brigade, as a foreign terrorist organisation (FTO), adding the latter as an alias to the BLA’s existing specially designated global terrorist (SDGT) status.

The designation, announced on Monday by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, builds on the BLA’s earlier SDGT listing in 2019, which followed a series of deadly terrorist attacks. Since then, the group has claimed responsibility for several more assaults, including operations carried out by the Majeed Brigade.

In 2024, the BLA claimed responsibility for suicide attacks near Karachi airport and the Gwadar Port Authority Complex. Earlier this year, it claimed the March hijacking of the Jaffar Express traveling from Quetta to Peshawar, which left 31 civilians and security personnel dead and over 300 passengers held hostage.

Secretary Rubio said the move underscores the Trump Administration’s resolve to combat terrorism. “Terrorist designations play a critical role in our fight against this scourge and are an effective way to curtail support for terrorist activities,” he stated.

The designations were made under Section 219 of the Immigration and Nationality Act and Executive Order 13224, as amended, and will take effect upon publication in the Federal Register.

Reacting to the development, Balochistan Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti welcomed the US State Department decision to declare the BLA as a foreign terrorist organisation. “We welcome the US decision to designate the BLA and its alias Majeed Brigade as terrorist outfits,” he said in a statement issued on his official social media account.

“Credit [goes] to the Federal Government and Field Marshal Asim Munir for presenting Pakistan’s case to the US administration,” added the statement.

Sarfraz Bugti said these groups had long shed innocent blood under the false cover of ethnicity and rights. “Terrorism is terrorism; no cause justifies killing civilians. The world must unite to end this menace,” concluded the statement.

Separately, in a major diplomatic and legal victory, the Court of Arbitration directed India to “let flow” the waters of the Western Rivers — Chenab, Jhelum and Indus — for Pakistan’s unrestricted use, in accordance with the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT).

The binding Award, announced on August 8, 2025, and released on the Court’s website on Monday, upholds Pakistan’s longstanding interpretation of key provisions governing new run-of-river hydropower projects to be constructed by India on these rivers.

“In a significant finding, the Court has declared that the specified exceptions for generation of hydro-electric power must conform strictly to the requirements laid down in the Treaty, rather than to what India might consider an ‘ideal’ or ‘best practices’ approach,” the Foreign Office said in a statement.

The FO described the ruling as “good news” for Pakistan, coming just a day after Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir warned India against any attempt to block water flows to Pakistan. The Court’s findings on low-level outlets, gated spillways, turbine intakes and free-board align with Pakistan’s position, while also limiting India’s ability to maximise pondage volumes.

For Pakistan, the Foreign Office highlighted, it was particularly significant that the Court reaffirmed the principle that the Awards of a Court of Arbitration are final and binding on both Parties — India and Pakistan — and hold a controlling legal effect over subsequent proceedings before other courts of arbitration or neutral experts.

“Recognising Pakistan’s vulnerability as the downstream riparian, the Court further noted that the object and purpose of the Indus Waters Treaty, with regard to the Western Rivers, is to clearly define the rights and obligations of both states, underpinned by mutual cooperation and effective dispute resolution mechanisms,” the statement said.

The FO stressed that the Award carries special weight in light of India’s recent announcement to place the Treaty in abeyance and its earlier boycott of the Court’s proceedings. The ruling, it added, represents a firm endorsement of Pakistan’s historical position on the matter.

Pakistan reaffirmed its commitment to the full and faithful implementation of the Indus Waters Treaty and called on India to immediately restore the normal functioning of the Treaty and comply in letter and spirit with the Court of Arbitration’s Award.

Separately, Pakistan declared on Monday that it is a responsible nuclear weapon state with an elaborate command-and-control structure under full civilian control. It has always exercised discipline and restraint, while dealing with the issues of importance, said the Foreign Office in a statement. “The Indian narrative of an alleged ‘nuclear blackmail’ is a misleading and self-serving construct. Pakistan remains firmly opposed to the use or threat of use of force. India’s sabre rattling and war mongering whenever confronted, invite unfounded allegations bereft of rationality,” added the Foreign Office.

It was responding to media queries regarding a statement, made by the Indian Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on the alleged remarks attributed to Pakistan’s Chief of Army Staff, Field Marshal Asim Munir, who had addressed the Pakistani community in Florida.

“Pakistan strongly rejects the immature remarks made by the Indian Ministry of External Affairs earlier today, which is yet another demonstration of their chronic tendency to distorting facts and twisting statements out of context,” said the FO statement.

Without any proof, and on complete hearsay, the Indian Ministry of External Affairs, shocked at the second invitation to the Army Chief, stated, “It was regrettable that such provocative remarks were made from the soil of a friendly third country, urging the international community to take note of the irresponsibility in Munir’s comments. Reiterating its stance, India affirmed it will not give in to nuclear blackmail and will take all necessary measures to protect national security”.

The FO reminded India that its narrative of an alleged “nuclear blackmail’ is a misleading and self-serving construct. Pakistan remains firmly opposed to the use or threat of use of force. India’s sabre rattling and war mongering whenever confronted, invite unfounded allegations bereft of rationality.

“Pakistan’s sustained and credible counterterrorism efforts are internationally-acknowledged. Our security forces remain the bulwark against terrorism. The Indian MEA’s spurious insinuations are irresponsible and without a shred of evidence,” it added.

Pakistan pointed out that it was a matter of concern that pointless reference to the third countries, was a bid to exert pressure on Pakistan. This not only reflected India’s lack of diplomatic confidence but also constitutes a futile attempt to unnecessarily involve other countries. The FO did not name the United States as the third country, where the alleged statement was made by the Army Chief, according to India.

“Contrary to India’s belligerent and jingoistic approach, Pakistan shall continue to act as a responsible member of the comity of nations. However, any act of Indian aggression or violation of Pakistan’s sovereignty and territorial integrity will be met with an immediate and matching response. The onus of any ensuing escalation will rest squarely with the Indian leadership,” warned the Foreign Office.

Meanwhile, Pakistan strongly condemned the recent airstrike by Israeli occupying forces in Gaza, which tragically resulted in the loss of numerous civilian lives. “Pakistan extends its deepest condolences to the families of the victims and reaffirms its unwavering solidarity with the Palestinian people during this period of profound suffering,” said the Foreign Office.

This egregious attack, it said, constitutes yet another serious violation of international humanitarian and human rights law, underscoring the scale and severity of the crimes perpetrated by the occupying power.

“The Government of Pakistan calls upon the international community to take immediate and decisive action to end Israeli impunity, ensure the protection of civilians, and hold Israel accountable for its actions,” added the statement.

Pakistan reiterates its longstanding support for the Palestinian cause and advocates for a just, sustainable, and peaceful resolution, in line with the relevant UN Security Council resolutions that uphold the rights and dignity of the Palestinian people. This includes the establishment of an independent, sovereign, viable, and contiguous Palestinian State, based on the pre-June 1967 borders, with Al-Quds Al-Sharif as its capital.

Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister, Senator Ishaq Dar Monday spoke to Foreign Minister of Azerbaijan Jeyhun Bayramov. The two leaders discussed cooperation in trade and investment.

Expressing satisfaction over collaboration in multilateral fora, they agreed to maintain close coordination for forthcoming UN and OIC engagements, as well as consultations on SCO related issues, said the Foreign Office.