US Designates Balochistan Liberation Army as Terrorist Organization, Eyes Growing Ties with Pakistan and Access to Mineral and Energy Assets

The US has designated the Balochistan Liberation Army as a foreign terror group, signaling growing ties with Pakistan. This move is part of "counter-terror cooperation" and aims to disrupt groups that attack civilians and foreign nationals. The US is also interested in Pakistan's mineral and energy assets, particularly the Reko Diq copper and gold deposits, which could meet a significant share of global demand for decades.

The United States has designated the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA), also known as the Majeed Brigade, as a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO). This move, announced by the Department of State on July 2, 2025, underscores the Trump administration's commitment to countering terrorism and enhancing security cooperation with Pakistan [1].

The BLA, which has been active in the province of Balochistan, has been accused of several terror attacks, including the March 2025 hijacking of the Jaffar Express train, where 31 civilians and security personnel were killed, and more than 300 passengers were held hostage [2]. The group has also claimed responsibility for other incidents, such as suicide attacks near the airport in Karachi and the Gwadar Port Authority Complex in 2024 [2].

The new designation makes it a crime for anyone in the U.S. to provide support to the BLA, including financial resources and material support. This move is part of a broader effort to disrupt groups that attack civilians and foreign nationals [1]. The designation comes as the U.S. seeks to strengthen its ties with Pakistan, particularly in the areas of mineral and energy resources.

Pakistan's Balochistan province is rich in natural resources, including copper and gold. The Reko Diq copper and gold deposits are a significant source of interest for the U.S., as they could meet a substantial share of global demand for decades [3]. The U.S. has been actively engaging with Pakistan to explore potential investments in these resources, with particular emphasis on the South Asian country's natural resources and fledgling cryptocurrency industry [3].

The designation of the BLA as an FTO is part of a broader U.S. strategy to combat terrorism and promote stability in the region. The move also signals the U.S.'s growing interest in Pakistan's mineral and energy assets, which could have significant implications for global markets [1, 2, 3].

References:
[1] https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/8/11/us-puts-balochistan-armed-group-in-pakistan-on-foreign-terrorist-list
[2] https://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/us-news/us-designates-balochistan-liberation-army-as-foreign-terrorist-organisation-the-majeed-brigade-101754934231185.html
[3] https://www.indexbox.io/blog/barrick-mining-ceo-discusses-gold-tariffs-reko-diq-project-and-mali-dispute/