Baloch leader Mir Yar Baloch reacted to the United States’ decision to designate the Balochistan Liberation Army as a foreign terrorist organization and said Baloch people are not terrorists but victims of Pakistan-sponsored IS-Khurasan, “a deadly proxy nurtured by the ISI”. The Baloch leader said Balochistan showed unwavering goodwill towards the United States historically, while Pakistan sheltered Osama Bin Laden. “The Baloch are not terrorists. They are a nation that has endured 78 long years of state terrorism, economic plunder, radioactive poisoning from Pakistan’s nuclear tests, foreign invasion, and brutal occupation by the extremist and artificial state of Pakistan,” Mir Yar Baloch said. “We are also victims of Pakistan-sponsored IS-Khurasan, a deadly proxy nurtured by the ISI, that has now issued a so-called fatwa calling for violence against peaceful Baloch political parties and their activists. This is yet another stark example of how Pakistan weaponises radical groups to crush legitimate political voices, suppress democratic aspirations, and destabilise the region,” he said.“Throughout history, the Baloch have shown unwavering goodwill towards the United States. Even during the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan, Baloch people never raised arms against America or the Soviets. After 9/11, NATO supply lines passed through Balochistan, yet not a single attack was carried out by Baloch freedom fighters or civilians on American personnel or convoys,” Baloch wrote on his X post. BLA, also known as the Majeed Brigade, was designated a “specially designated global terrorist” organization in 2019. But the new designation of a ‘foreign terrorist’ is more severe. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the move “demonstrates the Trump Administration’s commitment to countering terrorism”.“Terrorist designations play a critical role in our fight against this scourge and are an effective way to curtail support for terrorist activities,” the statement said.Commenting on how Trump is now leaning towards Pakistan now, Mir Baloch said if the US recognizes Balochistan’s independence, then the US would get a genuine ally. “In contrast, the Pakistani military and the ISI orchestrated anti-American rallies, chanting “Death to America” while sheltering terrorists. For a decade, Osama bin Laden lived under the protection of Pakistan’s military in Abbottabad. Pakistan’s own leaders have admitted waging a fake jihad against the interests of the United States and the West, deceiving allies while breeding extremism,” the Baloch leader said.
