U.S. designates Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan chief as Global Terrorist

On the eve of the 18th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks, the U.S. Department of State has designated Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) Noor Wali Mehsud as a ‘Specially Designated Global Terrorist’.

Impact of Designation

• The designation is part of the US strategy to block the necessary resources for terrorists to plan and carry out attacks.
• Once designated all of their property and interests in property subject to US jurisdiction are blocked and are reported to the US Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC).
• The regulations also prohibit US persons or within the United States (including transactions transiting the United States) that involve any property or interests in property of blocked or designated persons”.
• Further, those persons who engage in certain transactions with the individual designated may themselves be exposed to sanctions or subject to enforcement action.

Specially Designated Global Terrorist

Specially Designated Global Terrorist is a designation authorized under US Executive Order. Under Executive Order 13224, the United States Department of State or the US Department of the Treasury are empowered to designate People or entities are designated as Specially Designated Global Terrorists.

Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan

The Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan established in 2007 is a potent threat and the most dangerous Islamist terrorist organisation in Pakistan. Over the last 12 years, it has involved in more than 1,400 terrorist attacks in Pakistan.

Others designated as the global terrorist by the US include leaders of groups including Hizbullah, Hamas, Palestinian Islamic Jihad, the Islamic State (IS), IS-Philippines, ISIS-West Africa and an al Qaeda affiliated group fighting in Syria.