Bollywood Icon Salman Khan Labeled a Terrorist by Pakistan After Offhand Balochistan Comment Ignites Diplomatic Firestorm
In a surprising escalation of cultural commentary into geopolitical tension, Bollywood heavyweight Salman Khan has been branded a terrorist by Pakistani authorities, according to reports. The designation stems from a seemingly innocuous remark the actor made about the diverse workforce in Saudi Arabia, which inadvertently touched on the sensitive issue of Balochistan’s status.
During a panel at the Joy Forum 2025 in Riyadh, Khan shared the stage with fellow stars Shah Rukh Khan and Aamir Khan to explore the surging appeal of Indian films across the Middle East. In the course of highlighting the region’s multicultural fabric, he observed: “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.”
By listing Balochistan apart from Pakistan in this context, Khan’s words struck a nerve in Islamabad. Officials interpreted the phrasing as a challenge to the nation’s territorial sovereignty, prompting swift repercussions. Multiple sources indicate that the Pakistani government has added the actor to the 4th Schedule of the Anti-Terrorism Act (1997), a registry typically reserved for those with suspected terrorist affiliations. This status subjects individuals to stringent surveillance, travel curbs, and potential prosecution, underscoring the gravity of the response.
The fallout has reverberated beyond official channels. While Pakistani hardliners decry the comment as provocative, it has garnered praise from Baloch activists advocating for autonomy. Mir Yar Baloch, a key figure in the independence movement, hailed Khan’s inadvertent nod as a morale booster. “By recognizing Balochistan as distinct, Salman Khan has done what many nations hesitate to do,” he stated. “It’s a powerful act of soft diplomacy that strengthens the global awareness of our identity.” He further noted that the words had “brought happiness to six crore Baloch people.”
This episode unfolds against the backdrop of Balochistan’s enduring struggles. Spanning 46% of Pakistan’s landmass but housing just 6% of its populace, the province brims with untapped mineral wealth yet grapples with acute underdevelopment—around 70% of residents subsist below the poverty threshold. Persistent grievances over resource extraction, marginalization, and security operations have sustained calls for separation over decades.
As of now, Salman Khan has refrained from public comment on the uproar. His brief aside, intended to celebrate cinematic success and regional diversity, has instead fueled heated online exchanges, illustrating the fine line entertainers tread when their voices echo into realms of national identity and politics.