CANBERRA: The Australian government on Friday imposed counterterrorism financing sanctions on the banned Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) and its senior leaders for their alleged involvement in and support of terrorist attacks.
Announcing the sanctions, Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong said the BLA had carried out violent attacks across Pakistan targeting civilians, critical infrastructure, foreign nationals and state institutions.
She said Australia remained firmly committed to countering terrorism and violent extremism, adding that sanctions were aimed at cutting off financial support networks used by militant organisations.
According to Wong, the restrictions would make it a criminal offence to use or deal with the assets of any listed individual or entity or provide them with financial assistance.
She warned that violations of Australian sanctions laws could result in heavy fines and imprisonment of up to 10 years.
“Australia’s counterterrorism sanctions are targeted, proportionate and designed to uphold international peace and security,” she added.
Pakistan has repeatedly urged the United Nations Security Council to impose sanctions on the militant group over attacks that have resulted in the deaths of civilians and security personnel.
In January this year, the BLA launched coordinated attacks across 12 towns in Balochistan, resulting in the martyrdom of at least 22 security personnel and 36 civilians.
Speaking at a press conference in Quetta on February 1, Balochistan Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti said militants linked to “Fitna al-Hindustan” carried out attacks in Quetta, Mastung, Nushki, Dalbandin, Kharan, Panjgur, Tump, Gwadar and Pasni.
Security forces later launched a large-scale counterterrorism operation in the province, during which more than 190 militants were killed.
Australia’s move follows last year’s decision by the United States to formally designate the BLA and its militant faction, the Majeed Brigade, as a Foreign Terrorist Organisation (FTO).
In August 2025, the US State Department also added the Majeed Brigade as an alias to the BLA’s designation as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT) organisation.