Mumbai: Bollywood superstar Salman Khan is under scrutiny from the Pakistani government following comments he made about Balochistan. Reports indicate that Khan has been listed under the 4th Schedule of Pakistan’s 1997 Anti-Terrorism Act—a designation reserved for individuals suspected of terror-related activities. Being on this blacklist involves strict monitoring, travel restrictions, and potential legal consequences.
The controversy arose after Salman appeared at the Joy Forum 2025 in Riyadh, alongside fellow actors Shah Rukh Khan and Aamir Khan, to discuss the rising popularity of Indian cinema in the Middle East. During the discussion, Salman referred to various regions separately, including Balochistan and Pakistan.
He stated, “Right now, 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.”
While the Pakistani government reportedly reacted strongly to his remarks, Baloch separatist leaders welcomed the acknowledgment. Mir Yar Baloch, a prominent Baloch independence advocate, expressed appreciation for Salman’s statement, saying it had brought joy to millions of Baloch people. He described the actor’s words as a form of “soft diplomacy” that recognizes Balochistan’s distinct identity and fosters international attention to their cause.
