A new report by TRT World says the BLA threat to global trade has grown beyond Pakistan’s borders, posing risks to regional connectivity, economic activity, and international supply chains.
According to the report, highways and trade corridors across Balochistan are increasingly becoming high-risk areas due to attacks by the banned Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA). The group is accused of targeting economic links and development projects in an effort to disrupt trade and regional cooperation.
The report states that attacks on trains, highways, and cargo vehicles harm the interests of local communities. Such incidents reduce employment opportunities, discourage investment, and slow the progress of development projects in the province.
TRT World noted that Gwadar Port and Balochistan hold strategic importance in global commerce because of their location. As a result, instability in the region affects not only Pakistan but also broader international trade networks.
The report highlighted that the United States, Australia, and the United Kingdom have already designated the BLA as a terrorist organization. It also claimed that some of the group’s tactics and attack methods resemble those used by extremist groups such as al-Qaeda and ISIS.
According to the report, BLA attacks have damaged roads, railway lines, and other infrastructure projects across Balochistan. This has created challenges for investors and increased security-related costs.
The report also referred to repeated attacks on Pakistan’s railway network, including incidents involving the Jaffar Express. These attacks have led to temporary suspensions of train services and disrupted transportation and commercial activities.
Citing the Global Terrorism Index 2026, the report claimed that nearly three-quarters of Pakistan’s reported terrorism incidents last year occurred in Balochistan.
The report further stated that projects linked to the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), energy infrastructure, and regional trade routes have also been targeted. Such attacks, it said, undermine economic growth and regional integration efforts.
Experts quoted in the report argued that the BLA is pursuing a strategy aimed at making Balochistan less attractive for investment, governance reforms, and economic integration. They stressed that peace and stability in the province are essential not only for Pakistan but also for China, Gulf countries, Central Asian states, and European markets with economic interests in the region.
The report concluded that the cost of continued instability in Balochistan is being felt beyond Pakistan. It warned that global supply chains and international consumers are also affected, making sustainable peace and security in the region more important than ever.
