The Matter: Salman Khan Labelled as “Terrorist” by Pakistan (Controversy)
Based on multiple media reports, there has been a significant recent controversy regarding claims that Bollywood actor Salman Khan has been labelled a “terrorist” by Pakistani authorities.
What happened:
The controversy stems from a statement Salman Khan made during the Joy Forum 2025 event in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. While speaking about the global success of Indian cinema, he mentioned different communities working in Saudi Arabia, stating:
“There are people from Balochistan, there are people from Afghanistan, there are people from Pakistan, and everyone is working here.”
The Controversy:
- Perceived Implication: By mentioning “Balochistan” and “Pakistan” separately, some in Pakistan interpreted his remark as an implicit endorsement of the separatist movement in Balochistan, which is Pakistan’s largest, least populated, and resource-rich province that has seen a long-running insurgency for independence.
- “Terrorist” Claims: Unverified reports and social media claims, which were then picked up by some media outlets, circulated that the Pakistani government had reacted strongly to his statement.
- The Alleged Action: These reports claimed that Pakistani authorities, specifically the Home Department of the Government of Balochistan, had placed Salman Khan under the Fourth Schedule of the Anti-Terrorism Act (1997), a list typically reserved for individuals suspected of having links to terrorism or extremist activities. The reason cited in the purported official notification was that Salman Khan was an “Azad Balochistan Facilitator.”
Fact Check/Clarification:
- Verification Concerns: Subsequent reporting and fact-checking have raised serious doubts about the authenticity of the “official notification” that circulated widely. Discrepancies noted include the notification’s date and the authority of a provincial government (Balochistan) to declare a foreign national a terrorist—a power usually held by the federal government.
- Pakistani Media Silence: Notably, major Pakistani news outlets have largely not covered this specific development of a “terrorist” declaration, further suggesting the viral notification may be a hoax or forgery.
- Mixed Reactions: While the statement angered Pakistani officials and commentators who saw it as an attack on their territorial integrity, it was widely applauded by Baloch separatist leaders and activists who viewed it as a symbolic acknowledgment of their distinct identity and struggle.
Conclusion:
While a controversial statement by Salman Khan mentioning Balochistan separately from Pakistan did spark outrage, the widely circulated claim that the Pakistani government has officially declared him a “terrorist” appears to be based on an unverified and likely forged notification and has not been confirmed by reliable sources in Pakistan.
