Australia has imposed sanctions on the banned Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) and three of its senior leaders over their involvement in terrorist activities in Pakistan, a statement issued by Foreign Minister Penny Wong’s office has confirmed.
“The Australian Government has today imposed counter-terrorism financing sanctions on the Balochistan Liberation Army and three senior leaders for their engagement in and support of terrorist attacks,” the statement dated May 8 stated.
Australia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that the BLA had carried out violent attacks across Pakistan targeting civilians, infrastructure, foreign nationals and state institutions.
“These appalling attacks have targeted civilians, critical infrastructure, and foreign nationals, as well as the Pakistani state,” the ministry remarked.
The statement further maintained that Canberra remained committed to countering terrorism and violent extremism.
“These sanctions help cut off financial support of terrorists, making it harder for them to fund operations, recruit and spread their harmful ideology,” it added.
Australian authorities also warned that using or handling the assets of listed individuals or organisations, or providing them with financial support, would be considered a criminal offence carrying heavy fines and up to 10 years in prison.
Pakistan has repeatedly urged countries and international bodies to formally designate the BLA as a terrorist organisation due to its involvement in attacks across Balochistan and other parts of the country.
The outfit was behind the Jaffar Express hijacking in March 2025, during which armed militants seized a passenger train carrying more than 400 people. Security forces later launched an operation in which all 33 attackers were killed.
Earlier this year, Pakistan’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Asim Iftikhar Ahmad, called on the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) to place the BLA under its sanctions regime.
“We hope the council will act swiftly to designate BLA under the 1267 sanctions regime, acceding to the listing request that is currently under consideration,” Ahmad said during a UNSC briefing on threats posed by terrorist acts to international peace and security.
