Bollywood superstar Salman Khan has landed in controversy after his recent remarks about Balochistan sparked outrage across Pakistan. According to multiple reports, the Pakistani government has allegedly
placed the actor under the 4th Schedule of the Anti-Terrorism Act (1997) — a list reserved for individuals suspected of having links to terrorism.
Being listed under the 4th Schedule implies close monitoring, restrictions on movement, and the possibility of legal action. The decision reportedly comes after Salman’s comments at the Joy Forum 2025 in Riyadh, where he appeared alongside Shah Rukh Khan and Aamir Khan to discuss the rising popularity of Indian cinema in the Middle East.
During the discussion, Salman said, “Right now, if you make a Hindi film and release it here (in Saudi Arabia), it will be a superhit. If you make a Tamil, Telugu, or Malayali film, it will do hundreds of crores in business because so many people from other countries have come here. There are people from Balochistan, there are people from Afghanistan, there are people from Pakistan… everyone is working here.”
I don’t know if it was slip of tongue, but this is amazing! Salman Khan separates “people of Balochistan” from “people of Pakistan” .
pic.twitter.com/dFNKOBKoEz— Smita Prakash (@smitaprakash) October 19, 2025
The comment — where Balochistan and Pakistan were mentioned separately — has reportedly angered officials in Islamabad, who view it as a violation of Pakistan’s territorial integrity.
However, Salman’s remark has found unexpected support among Baloch separatist leaders, who have welcomed the statement as a symbolic acknowledgment of their struggle. Mir Yar Baloch, a prominent advocate for Baloch independence, expressed gratitude toward the actor, saying Salman’s words had “brought happiness to six crore Baloch people.”
He added, “By recognizing Balochistan as distinct, Salman Khan has done what many nations hesitate to do. It’s a powerful act of soft diplomacy that strengthens the global awareness of our identity.”
The Balochistan Context
Balochistan — Pakistan’s largest province by land area (46%) yet home to only 6% of its population — has long been at the center of political and social unrest. Despite being rich in natural resources, the region remains one of the poorest in the country, with nearly 70% of its population living below the poverty line. Decades of alleged exploitation, economic neglect, and military crackdowns have fueled separatist sentiments in the province.
Salman Khan has yet to issue an official statement regarding the controversy. Meanwhile, his remark continues to dominate discussions across social media, reflecting how a single sentence can ignite cross-border debates on identity, politics, and artistic expression.
