Bollywood superstar Salman Khan has sparked a major controversy after his recent comments on Balochistan at the Joy Forum 2025 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Reports quickly circulated that Pakistan had declared him a 'terrorist' and placed him on an anti-terrorism watchlist. However, the Pakistani government has officially refuted these claims, labeling them as false and baseless. The incident has ignited widespread debate across social media and political circles in South Asia. ### The Controversial Statement The controversy originated from remarks made by Salman Khan during the Joy Forum 2025, an event held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, between October 16 and 17^[1][2]. Sharing the stage with fellow actors Shah Rukh Khan and Aamir Khan, Salman Khan spoke about the global appeal of Indian cinema and the diverse South Asian workforce in the Middle East. He stated, "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"^{[3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][1][12][13][14][2]}. This specific phrasing, separating "people from Balochistan" from "people from Pakistan," quickly drew strong reactions. Officials in Islamabad reportedly viewed the comment as a challenge to Pakistan's territorial integrity, leading to widespread anger within the country^{[4][5][8][13][14]}. The clip of his speech rapidly went viral on social media platforms, fueling intense discussions about its intent and implications^{[3][5][9][11][1][12][2]}. ### Unverified 'Terrorist' Claims and Official Rebuttal Following Khan's remarks, several Indian media outlets reported that the Pakistani government had placed him on the Fourth Schedule of its Anti-Terrorism Act (1997)^{[4][5][6][8][15][16][13][14]}. This schedule is a list typically reserved for individuals suspected of having links to terrorist activities^{[4][5][6][7][8][13][14]}. Inclusion on this list carries serious consequences, including increased surveillance, restrictions on travel, and potential legal proceedings^{[4][5][6][7][8][13][14]}. Some reports cited a purported notification from the 'Government of Balochistan Home Department' dated October 16, 2025, which allegedly accused Khan of being an "Azad Balochistan Facilitator"^[6][1][12]. However, the Government of Pakistan has officially denied these reports. The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting of Pakistan issued a fact-check statement on X, formerly Twitter, confirming that claims of Salman Khan being added to any anti-terrorism watchlist are "completely false and baseless"^[7][17]. The ministry clarified that Khan's name does not appear on any list of banned individuals released by the National Counter Terrorism Authority (NCTA) or in any gazette notification from the Ministry of Home Affairs^[7][17]. Investigations into the purported notification from the Balochistan government also suggested it was a forgery, noting discrepancies in dates and a lack of coverage by credible Pakistani media^[1]. ### Baloch Leaders React While Pakistani authorities expressed displeasure, Salman Khan's comment garnered significant praise from Baloch separatist leaders. Mir Yar Baloch, a prominent advocate for Baloch independence, welcomed Khan's words, interpreting them as an acknowledgment of their distinct national and cultural identity^{[5][6][8][10][13][14]}. He stated that Khan's recognition had "brought happiness to six crore Baloch people" and described it as a "powerful act of soft diplomacy that strengthens global awareness of our identity"^{[5][6][8][13][14]}. Balochistan is Pakistan's largest province by area, but it has a long history of unrest, marked by separatist movements and allegations of economic neglect and human rights violations^[8][14][2]. Baloch activists and commentators viewed Khan's remark as a "long-overdue acknowledgment" of their struggles and a significant moment for their cause^[10]. ### Ongoing Debate and Impact The incident has fueled a polarized debate across social media and news platforms. Many online users questioned whether Khan's statement was an unintentional slip of the tongue, a display of unfamiliarity with regional politics, or a deliberate political gesture^{[3][5][9][11][1][12][2]}. Supporters argued that his comment reflected an awareness of Balochistan's unique regional identity rather than ignorance^[3][11]. Despite the official denial from Pakistan regarding any 'terrorist' designation, the initial reports and the actor's controversial remark have pushed a cultural conversation into a geopolitical flashpoint. The episode highlights the sensitive nature of regional identities and political narratives in South Asia, drawing international attention to the long-standing issues concerning Balochistan.