Bollywood superstar Salman Khan found himself embroiled in controversy last week after mentioning Balochistan during an event in Saudi Arabia. While discussing expats working in the Gulf region, he referred to Balochistan separately from Pakistan. This distinction was praised by Baloch leaders but sparked outrage among many in Pakistan. On Sunday, unverified reports began circulating that Islamabad had now placed Khan on a terror watchlist for his comment.
The Viral 'Terrorist' Claim
Multiple Indian media platforms, including the government-run DD News, reported on Sunday that Pakistani authorities had labelled Khan a terrorist. These reports cited a purported notification from the 'government of Balochistan' published on October 16, which allegedly 'recommended' his addition to the fourth schedule of the Pakistani Anti-Terrorism Act. The notification accused him of being an 'azad Balochistan facilitator'. However, a closer examination reveals that this notification is a clear forgery with several inconsistencies.
Discrepancies in the Notification
Upon investigation, the now-viral notification appears to be a fabrication. Salman Khan made his remarks during a two-day event in Riyadh spanning October 16 and 17. Crucially, while the alleged missive is dated October 16, it bafflingly claims that the recommendation for Khan to be tagged as a 'terrorist' was given on October 7, while this means the Balochistan reference came nearly 10 days *after* the alleged 'official' call for Khan to be placed on a terror watch list, a glaring chronological inconsistency that undermines its authenticity.
Lack of Pakistani Media Coverage
Another significant indicator of its dubious nature is the complete absence of any coverage on Pakistani media platforms regarding this declaration. Despite going viral on social media and being picked up by news sites. In neighbouring India, no major Pakistani news outlet reported on such a significant development. On top of that, the fact that a provincial government purportedly 'issued' the order raises red flags. It's typically the federal government of a country that possesses the authority to declare a foreign national as a terrorist, not a provincial administration. These factors collectively point to the notification being a hoax.
What Salman Khan Said
During the Joy Forum 2025 in Riyadh, Salman Khan had stated, "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, while " The clip quickly went viral, prompting widespread speculation on whether his distinction was a deliberate political statement or an unintended slip of the tongue.
Reactions to Khan's Remark
Ultimately, the claims that Pakistan declared Salman Khan a terrorist are unsubstantiated and based on a fabricated document.
Many interpreted Khan's remark as a significant and deliberate acknowledgment of Balochistan, sparking polarized reactions. While some in Pakistan expressed anger over the implied separation, Baloch leaders lauded his statement. Mir Yar Baloch, a prominent figure, told ThePrint earlier this week. That the comment was being "celebrated" by millions from the region. He was quoted saying, "The heartfelt mention of Balochistan by Indian film legend Salman Khan during an event in Saudi Arabia has been overwhelmingly celebrated across the Republic of Balochistan and by over 60 million Baloch citizens worldwide. While Balochistan has often been referenced in Indian films and series, this moment stands apart — it wasn't scripted on a movie set, but spoken sincerely on the soil of Saudi Arabia, home to a vast Baloch diaspora. " This incident highlights the sensitive political dynamics surrounding Balochistan and the impact of such high-profile statements.
