Paper: GS-II, Subject: International Relations, Topic: Global Issues, Issue: UNSC Sanctions Committee
Context: Recently, the United States, United Kingdom, and France have placed a “technical hold” on Pakistan’s bid to list the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) and its alias, the Majeed Brigade, as terrorist groups under the United Nations Security Council’s (UNSC) 1267 sanctions committee
- While Pakistan, backed by China, pushed for this designation, the three permanent members opposed it, stating that the BLA lacks concrete links to globally recognized terrorist organizations like Al Qaeda or ISIL.
- This move highlights geopolitical complexities surrounding the designation of groups as terrorists at the United Nations level.
Examples of BLA Activities
- 2019 attack on the Pearl-Continental Hotel targeting Chinese nationals. Suicide bombing at Karachi University killing Chinese teachers in 2022.
- Numerous bomb blasts and armed attacks on Frontier Corps and Pakistani military installations in 2024-25.
- Attacks involving forced removal and execution of Punjabi passengers in Balochistan in 2025.
What is the UNSC 1267 Committee?
- It was first set up in 1999 (updated in 2011 and 2015), and strengthened after the September, 2001 attacks.
- It is now known as the Da’esh and Al Qaeda Sanctions Committee.
- It comprises all permanent and non-permanent members of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC).
- The 1267 list of terrorists is a global list, with a UNSC stamp. It is full of Pakistani nationals and residents.
- It is one of the most important and active UN subsidiary bodies working on efforts to combat terrorism, particularly in relation to Al Qaeda and the Islamic State group.
- It discusses UN efforts to limit the movement of terrorists, especially those related to travel bans, the freezing of assets and arms embargoes for terrorism.
Balochistan Liberation Army: Background, UNSC hold, and Implications
The US, UK, and France’s move to block Pakistan’s bid to list the BLA as a terrorist group highlights political and evidentiary hurdles in global counterterrorism. While Pakistan’s security concerns are valid, lack of consensus reflects how regional conflicts and great power diplomacy complicate defining terrorism internationally.
La Excellence IAS Academy, the best IAS coaching in Hyderabad, known for delivering quality content and conceptual clarity for UPSC 2025 preparation.
FOLLOW US ON:
◉ YouTube : https://www.youtube.com/@CivilsPrepTeam
◉ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LaExcellenceIAS
◉ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/laexcellenceiasacademy/
GET IN TOUCH:
Contact us at info@laex.in, https://laex.in/contact-us/
or Call us @ +91 9052 29 2929, +91 9052 99 2929, +91 9154 24 2140
OUR BRANCHES:
Head Office: H No: 1-10-225A, Beside AEVA Fertility Center, Ashok Nagar Extension, VV Giri Nagar, Ashok Nagar, Hyderabad, 500020
Madhapur: Flat no: 301, survey no 58-60, Guttala begumpet Madhapur metro pillar: 1524, Rangareddy Hyderabad, Telangana 500081
Bangalore: Plot No: 99, 2nd floor, 80 Feet Road, Beside Poorvika Mobiles, Chandra Layout, Attiguppe, Near Vijaya Nagara, Bengaluru, 560040
