Pakistan, China push to sanction BLA wing

Islamabad, Beijing renew efforts for UNSC listing

ISLAMABAD:

China and Pakistan will mount diplomatic efforts to seek inclusion of Majeed Brigade – a suicide wing of banned Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) – in a sanctions list maintained by the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), said sources familiar with the development.

Beijing had tried to persuade the UNSC Sanctions Committee to list the Majeed Brigade in the past but certain members blocked the move, citing lack of enough evidence against the terrorist outfit.

However, with the latest terrorist attack outside the Jinnah International Airport that killed two Chinese engineers, both Pakistan and China decided to make a renewed effort.

China is a permanent member of the UNSC while Pakistan is set to begin its two-year term as non-permanent member of the world's top decision-making body from January 1, 2025.

The sources said Pakistan, as a non-permanent member of the UNSC, along with China would push for sanctioning the Majeed Brigade.

The UNSC 1267 Committee was established in 1999 to oversee sanctions against individuals and entities associated with terrorism, particularly Al-Qaeda, the Taliban, and later ISIL (Daesh).

The committee targets individuals, groups and entities involved in supporting terrorism, especially those linked to Al-Qaeda, ISIL, and the Taliban.

Member states propose individuals or entities to be added to the sanctions list. Once listed, they face asset freeze, travel ban and arms embargo.

The 1267 sanctions list is a global tool to combat terrorism, and member states are responsible for implementing these sanctions domestically.

This committee serves as an essential tool in global counter-terrorism efforts by imposing sanctions on those who support terrorism and monitoring their compliance.

Pakistan and China feel that there is compelling evidence of Majeed Brigade's involvement in terrorist activities; therefore, it must be listed by the UNSC sanctions committee.

It is, however, not certain if the move would succeed. The UNSC sanctions committee comprising 5 veto wielding power members and 10 non-permanent members. Decisions are taken with consensus while the permanent members can veto or put a hold on any move seeking listing of entities or individuals.

Observers are skeptical of some permanent members' support to the Chinese move as Majeed Brigade and other Baloch terrorist outfits are serving their ulterior purpose.

The Majeed Brigade has owned scores of terrorist attacks targeting Chinese nationals and interests in recent years.

The suicide squad of BLA first surfaced in 2011 when it carried out maiden attack targeting the Chinese nationals in Dalbandin. It subsequently took responsibility for terrorist attacks on the Pakistan Stock Exchange, Chinese Consulate in Karachi and Confucius Institute at Karachi University.

The Majeed Brigade was formed to target Chinese investment in Pakistan.