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Pakistani media outlets have raised questions about the authenticity of reports claiming Bollywood star Salman Khan was placed on a terrorist watchlist following his comments about Balochistan at a Saudi Arabian event last week.
The controversy began when Khan, speaking at the Joy Forum 2025 in Riyadh, made a distinction between Pakistan and Balochistan while discussing expatriate workers in Saudi Arabia. “If you make a Hindi film and release it here, 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,” Khan said during the event.
The remark quickly went viral on social media platforms, with many interpreting it as a deliberate acknowledgment of Balochistan as a separate entity from Pakistan—a politically sensitive position given the long-running independence movement in the region.
Several Indian news outlets, including the government-run DD News, subsequently reported that Pakistani authorities had labeled Khan a terrorist. These reports referenced what appeared to be an official notification from the “government of Balochistan” dated October 16, recommending Khan’s addition to the fourth schedule of Pakistan’s Anti-Terrorism Act for allegedly being an “azad Balochistan facilitator.”
However, careful examination reveals significant inconsistencies that cast doubt on the document’s authenticity. Most notably, the notification claims the recommendation to designate Khan as a terrorist was made on October 7—nearly ten days before his comments at the Riyadh event, which took place on October 16-17.
Further raising suspicions, the purported notification received no coverage in Pakistani media, despite extensive reporting on the story by Indian outlets. Security analysts also point out that terrorist designations for foreign nationals would typically come from federal authorities rather than provincial governments.
Balochistan, Pakistan’s largest province by area, has been the site of a decades-long independence movement. The region, rich in natural resources including natural gas and minerals, has witnessed persistent conflict between separatist groups and Pakistani security forces.
Khan’s comments were warmly received by Baloch independence advocates. Mir Yar Baloch told ThePrint that the actor’s remarks were being “celebrated by millions” from the region. “The heartfelt mention of Balochistan by Indian film legend Salman Khan during an event in Saudi Arabia has been overwhelmingly celebrated across the Republic of Balochistan and by over 60 million Baloch citizens worldwide,” he was quoted as saying.
The incident highlights the ongoing sensitivity surrounding Balochistan’s political status and the geopolitical tensions between India and Pakistan. Public figures, particularly those with Khan’s international profile, can inadvertently trigger diplomatic controversies with seemingly casual remarks about contested regions.
Neither Khan nor his representatives have publicly addressed the controversy, leaving observers to speculate whether his distinction between Pakistan and Balochistan was an intentional political statement or simply an unplanned remark.
The incident occurs against a backdrop of heightened scrutiny of celebrity statements on geopolitical issues, particularly in South Asia where border disputes and regional autonomy movements remain contentious topics in international relations.
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10 Comments
Interesting developments around Salman Khan’s remarks on Balochistan. It’s a politically charged issue, and I can see why Pakistani authorities might be sensitive about it. Curious to see how this plays out and whether there’s more to the ‘terrorist designation’ story.
Yes, it’s a complex situation. Khan’s comments seem to have touched on a sensitive geopolitical topic. Looking forward to seeing more details emerge as this story unfolds.
This seems like a classic case of political tensions flaring up over perceived slights. While Khan’s remarks may have been clumsy, designating him as a terrorist seems like an overreaction. Hopefully, cooler heads will prevail, and this can be resolved through diplomatic channels.
I agree, the ‘terrorist’ label seems heavy-handed. Politicians often resort to such tactics when they feel their authority is challenged. Hopefully, this doesn’t escalate further and can be resolved amicably.
The situation in Balochistan is undoubtedly a sensitive one, with longstanding independence movements. Khan’s comments, whether intentional or not, seem to have touched a nerve. It will be interesting to see if Pakistan can back up the ‘terrorist’ designation with concrete evidence, or if this is more of a political ploy.
You raise a fair point. Without clear evidence, the ‘terrorist’ label appears more like a knee-jerk reaction than a well-founded accusation. It’s important to maintain perspective and scrutinize such claims, especially when they seem politically motivated.
This is a complex geopolitical issue that extends far beyond Salman Khan’s comments. The long-running tensions in Balochistan are rooted in deep-seated grievances and a desire for autonomy. While Khan may have misspoke, labeling him a ‘terrorist’ seems like an overreach by Pakistani authorities.
I agree, this likely has more to do with the broader political dynamics in the region than Salman Khan’s specific remarks. Resorting to such inflammatory designations rarely helps resolve underlying tensions and may even further escalate the conflict.
It’s concerning to see Pakistan resort to such heavy-handed tactics in response to Salman Khan’s comments. While the situation in Balochistan is undoubtedly sensitive, labeling a Bollywood actor as a ‘terrorist’ seems like a disproportionate and counterproductive move. This could further inflame tensions and damage diplomatic relations.
Well said. Responding to perceived slights with such inflammatory measures often backfires and does little to address the underlying issues. Maintaining open and constructive dialogue is key, even on sensitive topics like Balochistan’s status.