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Bollywood superstar Salman Khan has been declared a “terrorist” by the Home Department of Pakistan’s Balochistan province after his recent comments referring to “people from Balochistan” during an international event in the Middle East. The move, made official through a government notification, has triggered a storm across social media and diplomatic circles, marking one of the rare instances of a foreign film celebrity being placed under Pakistan’s anti-terrorism watch list. Pakistan government’s action According to the official notification issued on October 16, 2025, the Balochistan Home Department has placed Salman Khan’s name under the Fourth Schedule of Pakistan’s Anti-Terrorism Act (ATA), 1997, designating him as an “Azad Balochistan Facilitator.” Individuals included under this category are subjected to strict movement restrictions, constant surveillance, and potential prosecution under the country’s anti-terror laws. Authorities in Balochistan claimed that the actor’s comments at a recent media event were “an attack on Pakistan’s territorial integrity” and could “encourage separatist sentiments.” The department’s statement also mentioned that Khan’s remarks were “being closely examined for links to external narratives” that could undermine the country’s sovereignty. What Salman Khan said The controversy stems from Salman Khan’s remarks during his address at the Joy Forum held in the Middle East, where he highlighted the growing diversity in the region’s film audience. “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,” he said. While the comment appeared to be a general observation about expatriate workers, Pakistani authorities interpreted it as implying that Balochistan was distinct from Pakistan, a deeply sensitive issue in the country due to ongoing separatist unrest in the province. Political sensitivity in Pakistan Balochistan, Pakistan’s largest province by area but least populated, has been the epicentre of a decades-long insurgency, with separatist groups demanding greater autonomy or independence. Any perceived reference to “Azad Balochistan” (Free Balochistan) is treated as a challenge to Pakistan’s unity. Citing this context, the Balochistan Home Department added Salman Khan to the Fourth Schedule, typically reserved for those suspected of involvement in terrorism or extremist activities. The order formally identified him as an “Azad Balochistan Facilitator,” suggesting that his remarks indirectly supported separatist narratives. No response from Salman Khan As of now, Salman Khan or his representatives have not issued an official statement regarding Pakistan’s designation. Sources close to the actor reportedly described the development as “absurd” and “politically motivated.” Indian diplomatic officials have not commented publicly, though experts note that Islamabad’s move could strain cross-border cultural relations at a time when both countries have largely suspended entertainment collaborations. Broader implications Analysts view this action as part of Pakistan’s tightening stance against any narrative related to Baloch separatism, even when it comes from international figures. Social media platforms in both India and Pakistan have since been flooded with reactions—ranging from ridicule to outrage—over the unusual nature of the designation. Observers also point out that this may be a symbolic political move rather than one with real enforcement, given that Salman Khan does not have any business or travel interests in Pakistan. However, the incident underscores the volatile intersection between pop culture and geopolitics in South Asia. While the controversy has sparked intense debate, it remains unclear whether the Pakistani government will maintain the listing or withdraw it amid international criticism. For now, the decision to classify one of India’s biggest film stars as a “terrorist” serves as a reminder of how even casual remarks can ignite diplomatic sensitivities between the two neighbouring nation
