Twitterati herald BLA terror listing as 'diplomatic coup' for Islamabad

After Washington branded the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) a terrorist outfit, Twitter users saw the move as a huge win in diplomacy for Islamabad.

The announcement comes weeks before Prime Minister Imran Khan's maiden visit to the United States.

The BLA has been behind a number of terrorist attacks in Balochistan. Pakistan has long considered the outfit as terrorist organisation and repeatedly urged the US to do the same.

Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) declared terrorist organization by the US, regarding it an “armed separatist group that targets security forces and civilians, mainly in ethnic Baloch areas of Pakistan.” @StateDept @PTVNewsOfficial https://t.co/0HNFsOZOgI

— Cultural Maverick (@CulturalMaverik) July 2, 2019

Suhasini Haidar, the national editor and diplomatic affairs editor of the Indian news publication The Hindu, questioned whether the move is "preparation for Premier Imran's visit to Washington amid talks with Afghanistan."

Senator Sarfraz Bugti, meanwhile, congratulated the people of Balochistan on the announcement.

The senator added that it is high time the US should take action against the Balochistan Republican Party (BRA) chief Brahamdag Bugti.

He said that Brahamdag is now living in Switzerland after changing his appearance.

Congratulations people of #Balochistan finally @USTreasury declared Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) Terrorist organisation. It’s high time US should also take action against BRA Terrorist Brahamdag Bugti who is living #Switzerland after changing his appearance. @HofSwitzerland pic.twitter.com/mPmMG3SSwz

— Sarfraz Bugti (@PakSarfrazbugti) July 2, 2019

Pakistan Bureau Chief for WIONEWS Anas Mallick called the move a "major major victory for Pakistani diplomacy which has through sufficient proofs and tireless efforts gotten to the get the BLA listed as a terrorist organisation".

This is a major major victory for Pakistani Diplomacy which has through sufficient proofs and tireless efforts gotten to get the Baloch Liberation Army listed as a TERRORIST Organization under US listings. #BLA #Pakistan https://t.co/3jpVD8mYK5

— Anas Mallick (@AnasMallick) July 2, 2019

PTI politican and MNA Andleeb Abbas stated "Pak US relations set for a reset", after the listing but called upon acknowledgment as terror facilitators of "those who sponsored BLA terror activities".

BLA put on the terrorist list...Pak US relations set for a reset...However those who sponsored BLA terror activities should also be acknowledged as terror facilitators and exporters....https://t.co/XLTgLEXywS

— Andleeb Abbas (@AndleebAbbas) July 3, 2019