China and Pakistan are set to undertake diplomatic efforts to list the Majeed Brigade, a suicide wing of the banned Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA), on the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) sanctions list. Beijing had previously tried to convince the UNSC Sanctions Committee to add the Majeed Brigade, but some members blocked the move due to insufficient evidence.
However, following a recent terrorist attack outside Jinnah International Airport that killed two Chinese engineers, both countries are renewing their efforts. China, a permanent UNSC member, and Pakistan, which begins a two-year term as a non-permanent member on January 1, 2025, will jointly push for the sanctions.
The UNSC 1267 Committee, established in 1999, oversees sanctions against individuals and entities linked to terrorism, particularly Al-Qaeda, the Taliban, and ISIL (Daesh). If listed, those sanctioned face asset freezes, travel bans, and arms embargoes.
Pakistan and China believe they have compelling evidence of the Majeed Brigade’s involvement in terrorist activities and are determined to see it listed. However, success is uncertain, as the committee’s decisions require consensus, and any of the five permanent members can veto or halt a proposal. Observers are skeptical of full support from all permanent members, as some view Baloch terrorist groups as serving their own interests.
The Majeed Brigade, known for targeting Chinese nationals and interests, first surfaced in 2011 and has since claimed responsibility for numerous attacks, including those on the Pakistan Stock Exchange, Chinese Consulate in Karachi, and Confucius Institute at Karachi University. Its primary objective is to disrupt Chinese investments in Pakistan.
