Has Pakistan Declared Salman Khan a Terrorist?

Bollywood actor Salman Khan recently kicked up a controversy on social media with his remarks during an event in Riyadh. While speaking at the Joy Forum 2025 last week, the Dabangg actor described the diverse South Asian communities working in the Middle East and distinguished Balochistan from Pakistan. His commented ‘ there are people from Afghanistan, Balochistan and Pakistan… everyone is working here’. 

This comment triggered outrage among social media users from Pakistan after it went viral all over. Though unclear whether it was just a slip of tongue or lack of knowledge, the remarks made by Salman Khan seemed to have ruffled the people of Pakistan as Balochistan is the largest province of the country and there has been a long history of unrest there due to insurgency for autonomy to identify the culture and ethnicity of the region as a separate country. 

In the backdrop of Salman’s inadvertent comments, several social media accounts and mainstream media outlets in India started reporting that the actor has been placed under the 4th schedule of the Anti Terrorism Act ( 1997) by Pakistan government. 

A purported notification claiming that Salman Khan was added to the list for the reason ” Azad Balochistan Facilitator” is now going viral without its authenticity being verified. However, no credible media house from Pakistan has so far confirmed or reported about this development. Moreover, no government source or official has ratified this news. 

Generally, the federal government of Pakistan has the authority to declare a foreign national as Terrorist. So, it is not yet clear whether the news is true or not. But, it has caught the attention of users on social media platforms. 

The actor, meanwhile, is busy hosting Big Boss season 19. He is also simultaneously shooting for his upcoming film Battle of Galwan.