Salman Khan Sparks Controversy by Mentioning Balochistan and Pakistan Separately in International Forum Speech

Oct 20, 2025 02:43 pm CST

Bollywood superstar Salman Khan has ignited debate across social media after referring to Balochistan and Pakistan as separate entities during his speech at the Joy Forum 2025 in Riyadh. While discussing the global appeal of Indian cinema among expatriate communities in the Middle East, Khan distinctly listed "people from Balochistan, Afghanistan, Pakistan" as separate groups, prompting widespread speculation about whether this was a deliberate statement or simply a verbal slip. The incident highlights the complex geopolitical status of Balochistan, Pakistan's largest province, which has experienced decades of independence movements since becoming part of Pakistan in 1948.