Salman Khan branded ‘terrorist’ by Pakistan over Balochistan remark

New Delhi, : Bollywood actor Salman Khan has landed in controversy after statements he made at a recent event in Riyadh, where he referred to Pakistan and Balochistan as separate nations.

Reacting strongly, Pakistan has placed Salman Khan’s name on the Fourth Schedule of its Anti-Terrorism Act, 1997. This list is typically reserved for individuals suspected of having links with terrorist activities. The move effectively brands Salman Khan as a “terrorist” in Pakistan.

According to DD News, the remark was made during the Joy Forum 2025 event in Riyadh, which featured Bollywood stars including Salman Khan, Shah Rukh Khan, and Aamir Khan. Salman, while discussing the global reach of Indian cinema, stated that films made in Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, or Malayalam can achieve massive success in Saudi Arabia due to the diverse expatriate population.

He cited Balochistan, Afghanistan, and Pakistan as examples, noting that people from these regions live and work in Saudi Arabia. It was this specific reference to Balochistan and Pakistan as separate entities that drew Pakistan’s ire.

The Pakistani authorities criticized the statement, describing it as provocative and anti-national, and have listed Salman Khan under the schedule that tracks individuals allegedly involved in terrorist activities. The controversy has sparked discussions in both media and social circles about the actor’s remarks and their geopolitical implications.

This incident adds to Salman Khan’s already high-profile international attention and raises questions about the sensitivity required when discussing geopolitically contentious regions.

Pakistan’s move comes amid rising tensions between India and Pakistan over regional issues, with this addition of a Bollywood celebrity to an anti-terrorism list being largely symbolic but politically charged.

Salman Khan has not yet issued a formal response to the Pakistani designation.