Salman Khan Placed on Pakistan’s Terror Watchlist After Balochistan Remark: Full Story, Facts, and Global Reactions

Bollywood superstar Salman Khan has found himself at the center of a geopolitical controversy after his recent remarks on Balochistan at the Joy Forum 2025 in Abu Dhabi (Riyadh). Following the viral clip of his speech, several Pakistani media outlets and online reports claimed that the Pakistan government had placed the actor on its “terror watchlist” and allegedly designated him as a “terrorist” for “anti-state statements.”

The development has sparked a diplomatic firestorm, ignited intense debate on social media, and drawn reactions from Baloch activists, Indian media, and the Pakistani establishment alike.

⚡ The Controversy: What Salman Khan Said

At the Joy Forum event, Salman Khan was invited to speak on “Cinema and Global Unity.” While addressing international media, he reportedly referred to Balochistan and Pakistan separately while discussing South Asian diversity and cultural identity.

The exact phrasing, which went viral, was:

“India, Pakistan, Balochistan — we all share stories that connect us beyond borders.”

This seemingly casual remark — separating Balochistan from Pakistan — was enough to ignite outrage in Islamabad, where authorities and social media users interpreted it as a recognition of Balochistan as an independent entity.

🧩 Pakistan’s Response: A “Terrorist” Label?

According to multiple reports from The Nation (Pakistan), Dawn, and several viral social media posts, Pakistan’s Ministry of Interior allegedly placed Salman Khan under Schedule 4 of the Anti-Terrorism Act (ATA) of 1997 — a section used to monitor individuals accused of promoting terrorism or anti-state activities.

Sources claimed that Salman Khan was labeled as an “Azad Balochistan facilitator”, accusing him of “indirectly supporting separatist propaganda” during an international event.

However, Indian fact-checking platforms and global media, including India Today, Zee News, and Times Now, clarified:

• No official notification confirming the addition of Salman Khan to the 4th Schedule has been released publicly by the Pakistani government.

• The so-called “watchlist document” circulating on social media appears to be unverified and possibly fabricated.

• Despite this, pro-Pakistan online accounts and some media outlets continue to claim that the declaration has been made through “internal channels.”

🔍 Fact-Check: What We Know So Far

Several credible Indian and international outlets — including India Today, CNBC-TV18, News18, and The Financial Express — have published detailed fact-checks:

ClaimVerificationPakistan declared Salman Khan a terrorist❌ Unverified / Likely FalsePakistan placed him on the 4th Schedule of Anti-Terrorism Act⚠️ Claim circulating online; no official proofSalman Khan made a political statement supporting Baloch independence⚠️ No direct political comment made; remark interpreted as separate mentionPakistani social media users and officials condemned the statement✅ TrueBaloch activists praised Salman Khan✅ True

🌍 Reactions From Across Borders

🇮🇳 India: Support and Satire

In India, Salman Khan’s fans and political commentators defended the actor, arguing that he merely made a geographical reference.
Social media was flooded with posts lauding Salman for “bravely acknowledging” the Baloch identity.
Several Indian users sarcastically tweeted:

“Pakistan just called Salman Khan a terrorist — the irony writes itself.”

🇵🇰 Pakistan: Outrage and Official Concern

Pakistan’s Ministry of Information reportedly expressed “deep concern” over the actor’s “irresponsible remarks,” while an alleged internal memo demanded Saudi Arabia to “take note” of such comments made on its soil.
Public sentiment in Pakistan was sharply divided — while some defended the actor, others accused him of “fueling separatism.”

🇸🇦 Saudi Arabia: Neutral Ground

Officials from the Joy Forum organizing committee refrained from commenting, calling the issue “a matter between two nations.”

🗣️ Baloch Leaders React: 'A Recognition of Our Identity'

Interestingly, the Baloch community viewed Salman Khan’s remark as symbolic support for their long-standing demand for independence.
Baloch political activists, quoted by ThePrint and WION, thanked the actor for “recognizing Balochistan as a distinct identity on an international platform.”

One activist wrote on X (formerly Twitter):

“When Bollywood speaks the truth, the world listens. Thank you, Salman Khan, for acknowledging Balochistan.”

🧠 Understanding Pakistan’s “4th Schedule”

The 4th Schedule of Pakistan’s Anti-Terrorism Act (1997) is reserved for individuals suspected of involvement in terrorism, extremism, or activities against the state.
Those placed on the list face:

• Strict travel restrictions,

• Asset monitoring,

• Mandatory reporting to local police,

• Surveillance by intelligence agencies.

If Salman Khan’s inclusion were official, it would mark an unprecedented move — a foreign celebrity being added to a national terror watchlist for a speech at a global cultural forum.

💬 Bollywood Industry’s Reaction

The Indian film fraternity has largely remained silent, though insiders told Bollywood Hungama that the controversy has “shocked” many producers and international partners.
A senior Bollywood official noted:

“This could affect Salman’s overseas image, especially in Middle Eastern markets where he enjoys a massive fanbase.”

📺 Media Storm and Meme Fest

As expected, social media erupted with memes and jokes.
One viral tweet read:

“From ‘Being Human’ to ‘Being Terrorist’ — courtesy Pakistan.”

Others highlighted the absurdity of labeling an Indian film star as a threat to national security over a speech line.

⚖️ The Diplomatic Undercurrent

Experts suggest that the uproar reflects Pakistan’s sensitivity over Balochistan, where separatist movements have long challenged Islamabad’s control.
By targeting a high-profile Indian celebrity, some analysts believe Pakistan is projecting strength on an international stage — especially amid growing global scrutiny of its internal conflicts.

🧾 Conclusion

At present, there is no official confirmation from Pakistan’s Ministry of Interior that Salman Khan has been legally added to its terror watchlist.
The controversy appears to be a mixture of political overreaction, social media sensationalism, and genuine national insecurity surrounding the Balochistan issue.

However, the incident underscores the fragile intersection of celebrity diplomacy, national sentiment, and geopolitics — where even a single phrase can spark an international storm.