Salman Khan, a Bollywood actor, has become embroiled in controversy after his recent comments regarding Balochistan caused indignation throughout Pakistan. The actor has reportedly been placed in the 4th Schedule of the Anti-Terrorism Act (1997), which is a list reserved for those suspected of having ties to terrorism, by the Pakistani government, according to several reports.
Being on the 4th Schedule means that you are subject to intense oversight, movement restrictions, and the potential for legal action. Salman’s remarks at the Joy Forum 2025 in Riyadh, where he joined Shah Rukh Khan and Aamir Khan to talk about the growing appeal of Indian cinema in the Middle East, are said to have prompted the decision.
Salman stated during the conversation, “A Hindi movie would be a huge hit right now if it were made and released here (in Saudi Arabia).” Due to the large number of foreign visitors, a Tamil, Telugu, or Malayali film will bring in hundreds of crores of rupees. Everyone is employed here, including individuals from Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Balochistan.
I don’t know if it was slip of tongue, but this is amazing! Salman Khan separates “people of Balochistan” from “people of Pakistan” .
— Smita Prakash (@smitaprakash) October 19, 2025
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According to reports, the remark, which included separate references to Pakistan and Balochistan, has infuriated Islamabad authorities, who see it as a breach of Pakistan’s territorial integrity.
Nonetheless, Baloch separatist leaders have unexpectedly embraced Salman’s comment, viewing it as a symbolic recognition of their fight. Prominent Baloch independence activist Mir Yar Baloch thanked the actor, stating that Salman’s remarks had “brought happiness to six crore Baloch people.”
“Salman Khan has done what many nations hesitate to do by recognizing Balochistan as distinct,” he continued. It’s a potent example of soft diplomacy that raises awareness of our identity around the world.
The Background of Balochistan
Only 6% of Pakistan’s population lives in Balochistan, the country’s largest province by land area (46%), which has long been the epicenter of social and political instability. With about 70% of the people living below the poverty line, the area is still among the poorest in the nation despite having an abundance of natural resources. Separatist sentiments in the province have been stoked by decades of alleged exploitation, economic neglect, and military crackdowns.
Salman Khan has not yet responded to the situation with an official remark. His comment, however, is still the talk of social media, demonstrating how one syllable can spark international discussions about politics, identity, and the arts.
