UNITED NATIONS: UN Secretary-General António Guterres has urged Pakistan to conduct a thorough investigation into Monday’s terrorist attacks in Balochistan and to ensure that those responsible are brought to justice.

At a news briefing in New York on Tuesday, the secretary general’s spokesperson, Stéphane Dujarric, said that the UN chief “strongly condemns” the attacks that took place in Balochistan on August 26, which reportedly resulted in numerous casualties.

“The secretary-general stresses that attacks against civilians are unacceptable,” Dujarric said, adding that Guterres “extends his deepest condolences” to the families of the victims.

In the early hours of Monday, militants affiliated with the banned Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) launched multiple attacks across the province, targeting security personnel as well as civilians, particularly those from Punjab.

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On April 26 2024, the United Nations and the United States reaffirmed their designation of the BLA as a terrorist organisation. The BLA is also listed as a terrorist organisation by Pakistan and the United Kingdom.

The US Department of State first designated the BLA as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT) under Executive Order (EO) 13224 in 2019.

The European Union has also designated the BLA as a terrorist organisation. Individuals and groups associated with the BLA are subject to measures related to the freezing of funds and financial assets, as well as police and judicial cooperation in criminal matters.

Additionally, no funds, financial assets, or economic resources can be made available to them, either directly or indirectly.

All UN member states are required to cooperate with investigations into terrorist attacks carried out by BLA militants.

Published in Dawn, August 28th, 2024