ON Tuesday, the US acceded to a long-standing demand by Pakistan when it designated the banned Balochistan Liberation Army as a global terrorist organisation, describing it as “an armed group that targets security forces and civilians, mainly in Baloch areas of Pakistan”. With that, the BLA’s assets in the US, if any, stand frozen and it is now illegal for anyone in that country to assist it in any manner. The Pakistan Foreign Office responded by pointing out that “perpetrators, organisers, financers and external sponsors including those glorifying these acts of terror against Pakistan [must be] held accountable and brought to justice”.

Gratuitous violence, especially against civilians, is the hallmark of terrorist organisations; it cannot be glossed over by terming it a freedom struggle. Moreover, when groups who profess to be fighting for their rights resort to such actions, they damage their own cause immeasurably. Over the years, of the main Baloch separatist groups, the BLA — led by late Khair Bux Marri’s son Hyrbyair Marri from exile in London — has taken responsibility for some of the most heinous acts of violence in Pakistan. With the gathering pace of CPEC — anathema to the separatists — the BLA appears to have taken a yet more proactive role in the insurgency. In November 2018, it launched a brazen attack on the Chinese Consulate in Karachi; only a swift response by the security personnel present managed to avert multiple casualties. On April 18, around a dozen gunmen belonging to an alliance of separatist groups, including the BLA, singled out and killed 14 bus passengers; the toll included 11 personnel of the navy, air force and Coast Guards, while they were travelling on the coastal highway near Ormara in Gwadar district. On May 11, several of its operatives launched an audacious attack on Gwadar city’s only luxury hotel where Balochistan-based Chinese overseeing CPEC projects as well as visiting Chinese delegations are lodged. Given that ‘Free Balochistan’ banners frequently pop up in Europe — the ongoing Cricket World Cup in the UK has also been witness to an aeroplane flying the banner — money is obviously being funnelled into the campaign. Even as Pakistan is asked to crack down on terror financing by extremist groups on its soil, the avenues of funding for groups threatening the country’s integrity must also be shut down. Meanwhile, the gains from the US move against the BLA must be reinforced by the state recognising Balochistan’s legitimate claims.

Published in Dawn, July 5th, 2019