Bollywood superstar Salman Khan has been labelled a “terrorist” by the Pakistani government and placed under the strict surveillance of the country’s anti-terrorism law following a controversial remark he made in Riyadh that mentioned Balochistan separately from Pakistan.
According to reports, the actor’s name has been added to the 4th Schedule of Pakistan’s 1997 Anti-Terrorism Act, a high-profile blacklist for individuals suspected of having terror links, which entails severe restrictions on movement, strict surveillance, and potential legal action. Pakistan’s Interior Ministry has reportedly referred to him as an ‘enemy of the state’.
The Controversial Speech in Riyadh
The punitive action follows Salman Khan’s appearance at the Joy Forum 2025 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, where he was speaking alongside fellow Bollywood icons Shah Rukh Khan and Aamir Khan about the global reach of Indian cinema.
During his address, Salman outlined the diverse South Asian communities working in the Middle East, stating:
“Right now, if you make a Hindi film and release it here (in Saudi Arabia), it will be a superhit… There are people from Balochistan, there are people from Afghanistan, there are people from Pakistan… everyone is working here.”
The deliberate distinction between the people of Balochistan and Pakistan has been interpreted by the Pakistani government as an attempt to undermine the country’s territorial integrity, a highly sensitive issue given the long-running separatist movement in the province.
Baloch Separatists Hail the Actor
While the Pakistani government has reacted with fury, Baloch separatist leaders have openly welcomed the actor’s comments.
Mir Yar Baloch, a prominent advocate for Baloch independence, publicly expressed his gratitude, stating that Salman’s mention had brought “joy to six crore Baloch people.” He praised the actor for doing what many nations hesitate to do, calling it a “powerful act of soft diplomacy” that highlights the global recognition of Balochistan as a separate entity and helps connect people’s hearts to the Baloch cause.
Balochistan, Pakistan’s largest province by area (46% of the country), has been marred by unrest due to systemic discrimination and economic neglect. Despite being immensely rich in mineral resources, the region remains Pakistan’s most underdeveloped, with approximately 70% of its population living below the poverty line, fuelling a persistent ethno-nationalist insurgency against the central government.