Pakistan Urges UNSC to Sanction BLA After Deadly Balochistan Attacks

Pakistan has urged the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) to formally sanction the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) following a series of deadly terrorist attacks in Balochistan.

Pakistan’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Asim Iftikhar, made the call while speaking at a UNSC briefing titled “Threats to International Peace and Security caused by Terrorist Acts.”

Pakistan Calls for BLA Listing Under UN Sanctions

Addressing the council, Ambassador Iftikhar said Pakistan hopes the UNSC will act without delay to designate the BLA under the UN’s 1267 sanctions regime.

He said the listing request is already under consideration and urged member states to support it.
The 1267 sanctions regime applies to terrorist groups such as Daesh and Al-Qaeda and includes asset freezes, travel bans, and arms embargoes.

Context of Recent Balochistan Violence

Pakistan’s request comes after coordinated terrorist attacks across several districts of Balochistan on January 31. According to security sources, the attacks killed 22 security personnel and 36 civilians.

The attackers targeted civilian and public areas in Quetta, Mastung, Nushki, Dalbandin, Kharan, Panjgur, Tump, Gwadar, and Pasni.

Following the attacks, security forces launched a province-wide counterterrorism operation. Officials said 197 militants were killed during the crackdown.

Chief Minister Confirms Scale of Attacks

Balochistan Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti said around 200 militants were involved in the attacks. He added that most of them were either killed or forced to flee.

Bugti also stated that militants deliberately used civilians as human shields, increasing casualties and damage.

International Condemnation of the Attacks

The attacks have drawn strong condemnation from the international community. Countries including the United States, United Kingdom, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Turkiye, Iran, UAE, France, Canada, and the European Union have expressed solidarity with Pakistan.

A day earlier, the UNSC condemned the attacks as “heinous and cowardly” and stressed the need to hold all perpetrators accountable.

Pakistan Highlights Terror Threat From Afghanistan

During his address, Ambassador Iftikhar highlighted Pakistan’s long-standing role as a frontline state in the global fight against terrorism.

He said Pakistan has suffered more than 90,000 casualties and massive economic losses over the years.

He warned that after the Taliban takeover in Afghanistan, several militant groups have gained renewed strength. These include Fitna al Khawarij (TTP) and Fitna al Hindustan (BLA).

Concerns Over Safe Havens and Foreign Support

The ambassador said these groups operate with relative freedom from Afghan soil and are supported by hostile external actors. He added that these networks pose a serious threat not only to Pakistan but to the entire region.

He also warned about advanced weapons left behind in Afghanistan falling into the hands of terrorist groups.

Call for Fair and Inclusive Counterterrorism Policies

Ambassador Iftikhar urged the UN to modernize its counterterrorism framework to address evolving threats. He stressed the need for equal treatment of all forms of terrorism.

He said terrorism should not be linked to any single religion and called for action against extremist ideologies including far-right and xenophobic violence.

Kashmir Issue Also Raised

The ambassador also raised concerns about what he described as state terrorism in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK).

He said occupation and repression cannot be justified under the guise of counterterrorism and called for respect for the Kashmiri people’s right to self-determination under UN resolutions.