The Australian government on Friday imposed counterterrorism financing sanctions on the banned Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) and its senior leadership “for their engagement in and support of terrorist attacks.”
Announced by Australia’s Foreign Affairs Minister Penny Wong, the sanctions have been linked to BLA conducting “violent terror attacks” across Pakistan, targeting civilians, critical infrastructure, and foreign nationals, as well as the Pakistani state. She stressed that the Australian government’s commitment to countering terrorism and violent extremism is unwavering.
She said the sanctions help cut off the financial support of terrorists, making it harder for them to fund operations, recruit and spread their harmful ideology. “We remain committed to working with our international partners to confront and dismantle the networks that fuel threats to our security,” she said.
Under the sanctions, it is a criminal offense to use or deal with the assets of a listed person or entity, or to make assets available to them. Wong explained that breaching the sanctions law carries heavy fines and up to 10 years’ imprisonment, adding Australia’s counterterrorism sanctions regime is targeted, proportionate and designed to uphold international peace and security.
Australia’s announcement 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 Organization.