Has Pakistan declared Salman a terrorist over Balochistan remarks?
What's the story
According to multiple reports, actor Salman Khan has been declared a terrorist and placed under Schedule 4 of Pakistan's 1997 Anti-Terrorism Act. To recall, at the Joy Forum 2025 event in Riyadh, Khan spoke about Indian cinema's popularity in the Middle East and mentioned people from Balochistan and Pakistan separately. Notably, there's no official confirmation on this so far, and the update is based on media reports. Khan's team has also not reacted to this recent development yet.
Statement backlash
What did Khan say?
Khan 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." Reports suggest that the Pakistani government was displeased with his remarks.
Twitter Post
Listen to Khan here
⚡ NEW: Bollywood actor Salman Khan’s name has reportedly been added by Pakistan govt to it’s “Fourth Schedule” — a list under its Anti-Terrorism Act used to monitor people suspected of links to banned groups or extremist activity.
— OSINT Updates (@OsintUpdates) October 26, 2025
It’s a serious designation that restricts… pic.twitter.com/GzgH02WhUl
Legal action
What is Schedule 4 of Pakistan's Anti-Terrorism Act?
Schedule 4 of Pakistan's 1997 Anti-Terrorism Act includes individuals suspected of having links to terrorism and subjects them to strict surveillance, movement restrictions, and potential legal action. The actor's mention of Balochistan has reportedly been seen as an endorsement by separatist leaders in the region.
Separatist support
Baloch separatist leaders welcomed Khan's statement
While the Pakistani government was reportedly enraged by Khan's comments, Baloch separatist leaders welcomed his statement. Mir Yar Baloch, a prominent figure in the Baloch independence movement, thanked Khan for mentioning their struggle and said it had brought happiness to six crore Baloch people. He even hailed the actor's act as a strong one of soft diplomacy that underscores global acknowledgment of Balochistan as an independent nation.
Regional context
Know more about Balochistan
Balochistan is Pakistan's largest province by area, covering 46% of the country but housing only 6% of its population, per Mid-Day. The region has been in turmoil due to systemic discrimination and economic neglect. Despite being rich in mineral resources, Balochistan remains Pakistan's most underdeveloped area, with a significant portion (70%) of its population living below the poverty line. Meanwhile, on the work front, Khan will next be seen in Battle of Galwan.