Pakistani authorities have officially labeled Bollywood star Salman Khan a "terrorist" after he made remarks about Balochistan at the Joy Forum 2025 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Khan's comments, in which he appeared to distinguish Balochistan from Pakistan while mentioning South Asian communities working in the Middle East, have ignited a political firestorm across South Asia.

During his speech, Khan reportedly said, "These are people from Balochistan, people from Afghanistan, people from Pakistan, everyone is working hard in Saudi Arabia". This apparent separation of Balochistan from Pakistan drew immediate condemnation from Pakistani authorities.

Pakistan's Interior Ministry has reportedly added Salman Khan to the "4th Schedule" of its 1997 Anti-Terrorism Act, a blacklist typically reserved for individuals suspected of terror links. This designation places Khan under close watch, limits his freedom, and could lead to legal trouble in Pakistan. The Interior Ministry has called him an enemy of the state, stating that his remarks warrant strict punishment.

Baloch separatists, who have long sought an independent state, have praised Khan's comments, viewing them as a gesture of support for their cause. Mir Yar Baloch, a leader advocating for an independent Balochistan, stated that Khan's mention of Balochistan brought joy to six crore Baloch people. He further commented that Salman Khan did what many large countries hesitate to do. According to Baloch, this cultural signal represents a form of peaceful diplomacy that connects people and could inspire the world to recognize Balochistan as a separate nation.

The situation remains tense, and it is currently unclear whether Khan's mention of Balochistan was intentional or inadvertent. As of now, there has been no response from Salman Khan or his representatives regarding this matter.

This is not the first time Salman Khan has been associated with Pakistan-related issues. An older video recently resurfaced of Khan speaking out in support of Pakistan amid terrorism accusations. In the video, Khan argued that Pakistan itself is a victim of terrorism and that it is important to avoid immediate blame. He emphasized that Islam does not promote terrorism, stating that neither the Quran nor Islamic teachings permit the killing of innocent people. In 2016, Khan backed Pakistani actors, saying "They are artists not terrorists".