China, Pakistan push to sanction BLA's suicide wing following Karachi airport attack: Report

The governments of Pakistan and China will mount diplomatic efforts to seek the inclusion of the Majeed Brigade in a sanctions list maintained by the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), a report by the Dawn said on Saturday (Oct 12) citing sources.

The Majeed Brigade is a suicide wing of the banned Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA). The report said that China in the past had tried to persuade the UNSC to keep the Majeed Brigade in its sanctions list but certain members (of the UN body) blocked the move, citing a lack of evidence against the terrorist group.

The recent terrorist attack at the Jinnah International Airport, Karachi, renewed the effort by Pakistan and China to push the UNSC to sanction the Majeed Brigade.

Two Chinese engineers were killed in the attack claimed by the BLA. China is a permanent member of the UNSC while Pakistan will begin its two-year term as a non-permanent member from January next year. 

The report said that Islamabad and Beijing felt there was compelling evidence of Majeed Brigade's involvement in terrorist activities, and hence it must be listed by the UNSC sanctions committee.

However, it is not certain if the renewed effort by the two countries would succeed, the report added.

Observers are sceptical of some permanent members' support of the Chinese move as Majeed Brigade and other Baloch terrorist outfits are serving their ulterior purpose, the report further said.

In the wake of the attack at the Jinnah International Airport, the Chinese foreign ministry said on Thursday that it would work with Pakistani authorities to protect the safety and security of Chinese personnel, projects and institutions in Pakistan.

Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning, at a regular news briefing, said she was not aware of reports that Pakistani authorities are seeking to curb the movements of Chinese citizens during the Shanghai Cooperation Organization meeting next week because of a security risk from militant groups targeting them.

“I’m not aware of the situation you mentioned, but I can tell you that China will work with Pakistan to ensure the safety of Chinese personnel as well as projects and institutions in Pakistan,” Mao added.