US move on BLA linked to its mining interests in Balochistan
The U.S. designation of the Baloch Liberation Army as a Foreign Terrorist Organization strengthens Pakistan's position against Baloch activists and potentially paves the way for American mining firms to access rare earth deposits in Balochistan. This move, coinciding with increased US-Pakistan trade and high-level visits, could also impact China's economic interests in the region, particularly the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor.
The move by the USA to declare Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) a Foreign Terrorist Organisation (FTO) not only strengthens Field Marshal Asim Munir's hands against Baloch political activists but can also facilitate the presence of American mining firms in Pakistan's biggest province that reportedly has rare earth deposits.Pakistan and the USA, ever since the warming of ties under Trump 2.0, have held dialogues on mining Pakistan's rare earth. In fact, this has been one of elements that contributed to the strengthening of US-Pakistan ties over the past six months.Pakistan, it appears, may have convinced the Trump administration that controlling BLA is essential for harnessing "critical minerals" in the province. Critics argue that the USA may even put boots on the ground in Balochistan akin to Afghanistan but that might make the situation on the ground messy. Americans might be targets of locals who understand topography better and history may repeat itself like Afghanistan, according to diplomatic observers.The locals in Balochistan have repeatedly targeted Chinese-funded projects and engineers as they felt that Beijing has exploited the region without any benefits for locals and that their sovereignty is being compromised.
China may welcome any action against BLA but it remains to be seen how it reacts to American commercial or security presence in Balochistan as that may impact the China Pakistan Economic Corridor passing through Balochistan. Gwadar port is also located in Balochistan.
Observers are keeping a close watch if Pakistan, a current non-permanent member of the UNSC, moves the council armed with the US decision on BLA. It may be a rare occasion when both China and the USA support Pakistan on the issue in the council. However, BLA cannot be designated under the 1267 sanctions committee as it does not have links to Al Qaeda or associated groups.The US designation of BLA coincides with Munir's visit to Washington and follows a recent US-Pakistan trade agreement.
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