CANBERRA: The Australia government on Friday imposed counterterrorism financing sanctions on the banned Balochistan Liberation Army and its senior leaders for their involvement in and support of terrorist attacks.
Announcing the measures, Australia’s Foreign Affairs Minister Penny Wong said the BLA had carried out “violent terror attacks” across Pakistan, targeting civilians, critical infrastructure, foreign nationals, and state institutions.
She reaffirmed that the Australian government remains firmly committed to countering terrorism and violent extremism in all forms.
According to Wong, the sanctions are intended to disrupt financial support networks used by terrorists, making it more difficult for them to fund operations, recruit members, and promote their “harmful ideology”.
She added that Australia continues to work closely with international partners to dismantle networks that pose threats to global and national security.
Under the sanctions regime, it is a criminal offence to use or deal with the assets of any listed individual or organisation, or to make assets available to them.
Wong further stated that violations of Australian sanctions laws can result in heavy fines and imprisonment of up to 10 years.
She described Australia’s counterterrorism sanctions as targeted, proportionate, and aimed at supporting international peace and security.
Pakistan has repeatedly urged the United Nations Security Council to sanction the militant group, which has been linked to multiple deadly attacks resulting in the killing of civilians and security personnel.
In January this year, the group reportedly launched coordinated attacks across 12 towns in Balochistan, resulting in the deaths of at least 22 security personnel and 36 civilians.
At a press briefing in Quetta on February 1, Balochistan Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti stated that militants linked to what he called “Fitna al-Hindustan” carried out multiple attacks in Quetta, Mastung, Nushki, Dalbandin, Kharan, Panjgur, Tump, Gwadar, and Pasni.
Following these attacks, security forces conducted a large-scale counterterrorism operation in the province, during which more than 190 militants were killed.
Australia’s decision comes after the United States previously designated the BLA and its Majeed Brigade faction as a Foreign Terrorist Organisation.
In a statement issued on August 11, 2025, the United States Department of State also added the Majeed Brigade as an alias to the BLA’s earlier listing as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist group.