CANBERRA: Australia has imposed strict sanctions on the banned militant group Baloch Liberation Army and its senior leadership in an effort to curb terror financing and extremist activities.
According to a statement issued by Australia’s foreign ministry, the government has formally placed the BLA and three of its senior leaders on its sanctions list for involvement in and support of terrorist attacks.
The statement said the BLA has been linked to multiple violent attacks across Pakistan, targeting civilians, critical infrastructure, foreign nationals, and state institutions.
Australian authorities said the sanctions are aimed at disrupting terror financing networks, limiting operational funding, blocking recruitment efforts, and preventing the spread of extremist ideology.
The government also reaffirmed its commitment to working with international partners against networks that pose threats to regional and global security.
Under the sanctions regime, using the assets of listed individuals or organizations, conducting financial transactions with them, or providing them with economic resources will be considered a serious criminal offense punishable by heavy fines and up to 10 years imprisonment.
Pakistan has long urged the international community and global institutions to designate the BLA as an international terrorist organization.
The group has been accused of carrying out several major attacks, including the hijacking of the Jaffar Express hijacking in March 2025, during which more than 400 passengers were reportedly taken hostage before security forces killed 33 militants in a rescue operation.
Earlier this year, Pakistan’s permanent representative to the United Nations Security Council called for the immediate inclusion of the BLA in the UN 1267 sanctions list, a request currently under consideration.
The United States had already designated the BLA and its Majeed Brigade faction as foreign terrorist organizations last year.