Salman Khan's viral Balochistan-Pakistan remark fuels debate online
What's the story
Bollywood superstar Salman Khan recently made a statement at the Joy Forum 2025 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, that has sparked a major online debate. Speaking alongside fellow actors Shah Rukh Khan and Aamir Khan, he mentioned people from Balochistan separately from Pakistan, which led to discussions about the intent and significance of his comments. His comments were widely shared on social media, leading to further discussions.
Statement
Here's what Khan said
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."
Twitter Post
Catch the clip here
Finally @BeingSalmanKhan acknowledged Balochistan is not Part of Pakistan ✌️❤️🙏
— Bilal Baloch (@bbfr74) October 18, 2025
Salam Khan said “ People of Balochistan, Afghanistan , Pakistan & everywhere”@BDUTT #Balochistan #Baloch pic.twitter.com/TgdqrZhzr6
Online debate
Did Khan deliberately separate Balochistan from Pakistan?
Soon after the event, a clip of Khan's remarks went viral online. Some netizens questioned whether his statement was a slip of the tongue or had deeper political implications. Journalist Smita Prakash tweeted, "I don't know if it was slip of tongue, but this is amazing! Salman Khan separates 'people of Balochistan' from 'people of Pakistan.'" Another user asked if it was an intentional hint that Balochistan is independent.
Ongoing discussion
Netizens are divided over the issue
The online debate continued, with some users questioning whether Khan's statement was due to ignorance, a mistake, or an intentional reference to Balochistan's status. One X user wrote, "Salman Khan has indirectly acknowledged the unique identity and struggles of Balochistan," while another said, "Wanting to say Bangladesh ended up saying Balochistan." The comment was particularly significant given the presence of other Bollywood stars at the event.
Supporters' perspective
Some users defended Khan's statement
Some social media users defended Khan, arguing that his comment showed awareness of Balochistan's distinct regional identity. One user wrote, "When @BeingSalmanKhan said 'Balochistan, Afghanistan, Pakistan...' - it speaks volumes. Balochistan is not a Pakistani province - it's a nation. Baloch is our identity and our state." Another post read, "Even Salman Khan admitted that Balochistan is a separate country," supporting the idea that Balochistan should not be considered solely as a province of Pakistan.
Regional significance
Balochistan has been a hotbed of insurgency
Balochistan, Pakistan's largest province, has a long history of unrest and demands for greater autonomy. The Pakistani government has often blamed the insurgency in Balochistan on certain tribal leaders. However, many in the region continue to see themselves as distinct from other ethnic groups in Pakistan. The region is strategically important due to Gwadar port and its proximity to the Gulf of Oman.
Historical context
Balochistan is divided among 3 countries
The Baloch region is not just limited to Pakistan; it is divided among three countries. The northern part is in present-day Afghanistan, the western part called Sistan-Baluchistan lies in Iran, and the remaining part is in Pakistan. Many Baloch believe their annexation during Partition was different from dominant political groups like Punjabis and Sindhis, fueling their quest for recognition.