ISLAMABAD – Pakistan and the United States have reaffirmed their joint efforts to combat terrorism, emphasizing collaboration in multilateral forums such as the United Nations. The reaffirmation follows the recent US designation of the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) and its affiliate,the Majeed Brigade, as Foreign Terrorist Organizations (FTOs), citing their ongoing involvement in violent attacks in Pakistan.
During the latest Pakistan-U.S. Counterterrorism Dialogue held in Islamabad on Tuesday, officials from both nations expressed their unwavering dedication to addressing all forms of terrorism. The dialogue was led by Special Secretary for the United Nations, Nabeel Munir, and U.S. Department of State Acting Coordinator for Counterterrorism, Gregory D. LoGerfo.
Both sides highlighted the importance of strengthening strategies against terrorist groups such as the BLA, ISIS-Khorasan, and Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP). The United States acknowledged Pakistan’s ongoing efforts to suppress terrorist activities threatening regional and global security, and extended condolences for civilian and law enforcement casualties caused by terrorist incidents, including the Jaffar Express attack and the school bus bombing in Khuzdar.
Participants stressed the need to enhance institutional capacities and leverage emerging technologies to counter terrorism. The longstanding partnership between Pakistan and the US was reinforced, with both sides emphasizing that sustained engagement is crucial for peace and stability.
In a separate announcement, Secretary of State Marco Rubio confirmed the designation of the BLA and Majeed Brigade as FTOs under Section 219 of the Immigration and Nationality Act, and Executive Order 13224. The Majeed Brigade has also been added as an alias to the BLA’s previous designation as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT).
The BLA, designated as an SDGT in 2019, has since claimed responsibility for numerous attacks, including suicide bombings near Karachi Airport and Gwadar Port in 2024, and a hijacking of the Jaffar Express train in March 2025, which resulted in 31 deaths and over 300 hostages. The group continues to pose a significant threat to regional stability
