Reports say Salman Khan has been placed under Pakistan’s 4th Schedule, raising concerns over surveillance and legal action. Baloch separatist leaders hail Salman Khan’s words, calling it a rare recognition of Baloch identity on the global stage.
BY PC Bureau
October 26, 2025: Bollywood superstar Salman Khan has found himself at the center of a diplomatic storm after his recent comments about Balochistan sparked widespread outrage across Pakistan. Multiple media reports claim that the Pakistani government has placed the actor under the 4th Schedule of the Anti-Terrorism Act (1997) — a list reserved for individuals suspected of links to terrorism.
Being placed under the 4th Schedule entails constant surveillance, travel restrictions, and the potential for legal action. The move reportedly follows Khan’s remarks at the Joy Forum 2025 in Riyadh, where he joined Shah Rukh Khan and Aamir Khan to discuss the growing global reach of Indian cinema.
During the discussion, Salman 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.”
Salman Khan has been placed on the Fourth Schedule by the Gov't of Pakistan.
So now, Pakistan will send it's Police to India to arrest Salman khan just because he separated Balochistan from Pakistan via tip of tongue.@BeingSalmanKhan #Balochistan pic.twitter.com/6xuZR33DjG
— I'm, Mr Baloch. (@imasbaloch) October 25, 2025
The phrasing — mentioning Balochistan and Pakistan separately — has reportedly angered officials in Islamabad, who view it as an affront to Pakistan’s territorial integrity.
Yet, the same comment has been welcomed by Baloch separatist leaders, who hailed it as an implicit acknowledgment of their cause. Mir Yar Baloch, a prominent advocate for Baloch independence, thanked the actor, saying Khan’s words had “brought happiness to six crore Baloch people.”
“By recognizing Balochistan as distinct, Salman Khan has done what many nations hesitate to do. It’s a powerful act of soft diplomacy that strengthens global awareness of our identity,” he added.
The Balochistan Backdrop
Balochistan, Pakistan’s largest province by land area (46%) but home to just 6% of its population, has long been marred by political unrest and economic neglect. Despite its vast mineral wealth, the region remains among the poorest in Pakistan, with nearly 70% of residents living below the poverty line. Decades of alleged exploitation, marginalization, and military crackdowns have fueled long-standing separatist movements.
Salman Khan has yet to issue a formal response. Meanwhile, the controversy continues to dominate social media and news discussions, highlighting how a single offhand remark can inflame cross-border sensitivities around identity, politics, and art.
