- BLA involved in terror attacks across Pakistan: Australian FM.
- Foreign Minister Wong reiterates his commitment to the fight against terrorism.
- Wong warns of strict punishments for non-compliance with sanctions.
The Australian government on Friday imposed anti-terror funding sanctions on the banned Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) and its senior leaders “for their involvement in and support for terrorist attacks”.
Announcing the sanctions, Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong said the BLA has carried out “violent terrorist attacks” across Pakistan, targeting civilians, critical infrastructure and foreign nationals, as well as the Pakistani state.
The Australian Government’s commitment to combating terrorism and violent extremism is unwavering, he added.
According to Wong, sanctions help cut off financial support to terrorists, making it difficult for them to fund operations, recruit and spread their “harmful ideology.”
“We remain committed to working with our international partners to confront and dismantle the networks that fuel threats to our security,” he said.
The sanctions criminalize the use or management of the assets of a listed person or entity, or the making of assets at their disposal.
Wong said penalties for violating an Australian sanctions law include heavy fines and up to 10 years in prison.
Australia’s counter-terrorism sanctions are targeted, proportionate and designed to defend international peace and security, he added.
Pakistan has repeatedly urged the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) to sanction the militant group, involved in deadly attacks that resulted in the martyrdom of civilians and security personnel.
In January this year, the militant group launched deadly “coordinated attacks in 12 cities” in Balochistan, resulting in the martyrdom of at least 22 security personnel and 36 civilians.
At a press conference in Quetta on February 1, Balochistan Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti said terrorists affiliated with the Indian-sponsored Fitna al-Hindustan carried out multiple attacks on civilians in Quetta, Mastung, Nushki, Dalbandin, Kharan, Panjgur, Tump, Gwadar and Pasni.
A wide-ranging anti-terror operation carried out by security forces in the province left more than 190 militants dead following the attacks.
Australia’s announcement follows last year’s decision by the United States to formally designate the BLA and its militant faction, the Majeed Brigade, as a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO).
In a statement issued on August 11, 2025, the US State Department also added the Majeed Brigade as an alias to the BLA’s previous list as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist Group (SDGT).
