US puts Balochistan armed group in Pakistan on ‘foreign terrorist’ list

The United States has upped pressure on the Pakistan-based Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA), labelling it a “foreign terrorist” organisation.

The designation, announced by the Department of State on Monday, comes after the BLA, which is also known as the Majeed Brigade, was designated a “specially designated global terrorist” (SDGT) organisation in 2019.

The new designation is more severe and comes as US President Donald Trump has sought increased contacts with Pakistan’s government.

In a statement, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the move “demonstrates the Trump Administration’s commitment to countering terrorism”.

Read more: Al Jazeera