VOIWORLD
Bollywood superstar Salman Khan has found himself at the center of an international controversy after his recent comments about Balochistan at the Joy Forum 2025 in Riyadh triggered outrage across Pakistan.
According to reports, the Government of Balochistan has placed the actor under the 4th Schedule of Pakistan’s Anti-Terrorism Act (1997) — a classification typically reserved for individuals suspected of having links to extremist or separatist movements. The notification, dated October 16, 2025 (pending official verification), reportedly labels Salman Khan as an “Azad Balochistan Facilitator.”
What Being on the 4th Schedule Means
Inclusion under the 4th Schedule of Pakistan’s Anti-Terrorism Act carries serious implications. Individuals listed face surveillance, travel restrictions, asset scrutiny, and can be detained for questioning without a formal charge.
The decision, sources claim, came after Salman’s remarks at the Joy Forum, where he joined fellow Bollywood icons Shah Rukh Khan and Aamir Khan to discuss the expanding influence of Indian cinema in the Middle East.
The Remark That Sparked the Storm
During the panel discussion, Salman reportedly said:
“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.”
Officials in Islamabad, however, were quick to take offense at the comment, interpreting the separate mention of Balochistan and Pakistan as a direct challenge to the country’s territorial integrity.
Pakistani media reports indicate that the statement was viewed as “politically sensitive,” leading to demands for government action from several lawmakers and pro-establishment commentators.
Interestingly, Salman’s comments have drawn praise from Baloch separatist groups and activists abroad.
Mir Yar Baloch, a prominent advocate for Baloch independence, said the actor’s statement had “brought happiness to six crore Baloch people.”
“By recognising Balochistan as distinct, Salman Khan has done what many governments and global leaders hesitate to do. It is a subtle yet powerful act of soft diplomacy that raises awareness of our struggle,” he said.
Balochistan, Pakistan’s largest province by area but home to only about 6% of its population, has long been a region marked by political unrest and economic disparity.
Despite its vast natural resource reserves — including natural gas, copper, and gold — nearly 70% of its population lives below the poverty line, fueling separatist sentiment that the Pakistani government has repeatedly attempted to suppress.
Salman’s brief but pointed mention of Balochistan as separate from Pakistan, therefore, struck a deep political nerve.
As of now, Salman Khan has not issued any public clarification or statement in response to the Pakistani government’s move or the ongoing backlash on social media.
Fans across India have expressed disbelief over the development, with many calling the move “politically motivated” and “an overreaction to a harmless comment.”
Professionally, Salman Khan was last seen in “Sikandar,” released earlier this year. He is currently filming “Battle of Galwan,” a patriotic action drama slated for release in 2026.
Despite the diplomatic row, industry insiders say the controversy is unlikely to affect his upcoming projects or his massive fan base across the Middle East.
