The United States Department of State announced that it has listed the Pakistan-based Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) and its armed wing, the Majeed Brigade, as Foreign Terrorist Organisations (FTOs) on August 11.

In its statement, the State Department said it is adding the Majeed Brigade as an alias to BLA’s Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT) status, which was first given in 2019.

Decision follows high-level Pakistan visit

This decision came soon after Pakistan’s Chief of Army Staff, Field Marshal Asim Munir, visited Washington DC. During the visit, Munir made a controversial remark, threatening to “wipe out half the world with nuclear weapons.”

Record of deadly attacks

According to the US, the BLA claimed responsibility in 2024 for suicide bombings near Karachi airport and the Gwadar Port Authority Complex.

In March 2025, the group again drew global attention. It hijacked the Jaffar Express train from Quetta to Peshawar. The attack killed 31 civilians and security personnel, and over 300 passengers were taken hostage.

US says designations help fight terror

“Terrorist designations play a critical role in our fight against this scourge and are an effective way to curtail support for terrorist activities,” the State Department said.

It added that the action “demonstrates the Trump administration’s commitment to countering terrorism.”

US-Pakistan ties raise questions

Despite this claim, the Trump administration has been deepening ties with Pakistan. The country has moved on and off the Financial Action Task Force’s (FATF) grey list. It has also been accused of sheltering Osama Bin Laden and Hafiz Saeed.

The warming relations — and Munir’s second US trip in two months — come despite the Pakistan Army’s open support for terrorists involved in the Pahalgam terror attack. Images of army personnel at the funerals of terrorists killed in Operation Sindoor went viral earlier.

A diplomatic win for Pakistan’s military

Pakistan calls the BLA an India-backed group, though it has not provided evidence. This new US designation gives Field Marshal Munir a political boost at home.

Previously, Munir faced embarrassment when Pakistani politicians defended The Resistance Front (TRF) after it was designated a terrorist group. That setback grew worse when India released proof that several Pakistan Air Force fighter jets were downed during Operation Sindoor.

The unresolved question

With these events in mind, doubts remain. Does the Trump administration truly have a “commitment to countering terrorism” — or is it managing a relationship of convenience?