MUMBAI — Bollywood superstar Salman Khan has reportedly been declared a “terrorist” by the Government of Pakistan under Schedule 4 of the 1997 Anti-Terrorism Act, after a comment he made in Riyadh that mentioned Pakistan and Balochistan as separate entities.
The controversy erupted following Salman’s appearance at the Joy Forum 2025 in Saudi Arabia, where he shared a panel with fellow Indian actors Shah Rukh Khan and Aamir Khan to discuss the global expansion of Indian cinema. During the discussion, Salman remarked on the diverse communities working in the Middle East, saying:
“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.”
The Pakistani government reportedly reacted strongly, claiming that Salman’s statement implied Balochistan was distinct from Pakistan, which it considers a challenge to its sovereignty. Authorities subsequently placed him under the Fourth Schedule of the Anti-Terrorism Act — a list reserved for individuals under surveillance for alleged involvement in activities deemed “threatening to national security.”
The classification entails travel restrictions, mandatory reporting to police, and potential legal scrutiny. Although Salman Khan has not commented publicly, the move has drawn widespread attention across both countries.
In a contrasting reaction, Baloch separatist leaders have praised Salman Khan, calling his remark an act of “soft diplomacy.” Prominent leader Mir Yar Baloch thanked the actor, saying the mention “brought joy to six crore Baloch people” and symbolized long-overdue recognition of the Baloch identity.
Balochistan, Pakistan’s largest province by area — making up 46% of the country’s territory but only 6% of its population — has long been the site of separatist movements and allegations of state oppression. Despite being rich in natural resources, it remains one of the most underdeveloped and impoverished regions, with roughly 70% of its population living below the poverty line.
The diplomatic fallout has yet to draw an official response from New Delhi, but the development underscores how a single cultural remark has quickly spiraled into an international political flashpoint involving celebrity, sovereignty, and soft power.