• Source:JND
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Bollywood superstar Salman Khan has once again found himself at the centre of an online controversy—this time not for his movies, but for a remark made during his appearance at the Joy Forum 2025 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. A video of the actor mentioning “Balochistan, Afghanistan, Pakistan” separately while referring to expatriate communities in the Middle East has gone viral, triggering widespread debate across social media platforms.

During a panel discussion at the international event, which also featured Shah Rukh Khan and Aamir Khan, Salman was seen talking about the growing popularity of Indian cinema among South Asian communities working in the Gulf region.

In the clip, now circulating widely on X (formerly Twitter), the actor says, “Right now, if you make a Hindi film and release it here, 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.”

The phrasing immediately caught viewers’ attention, with many pointing out that Khan mentioned Balochistan and Pakistan separately, something that sparked political and cultural debate online.

Social Media Divided Sparks Debate

Soon after the clip went viral, reactions poured in from across the world. Some users interpreted the statement as a political message highlighting Balochistan’s distinct identity, while others dismissed it as a simple slip of the tongue.

Journalist Smita Prakash shared the video on X, writing, “I don’t know if it was a slip of tongue, but this is amazing! Salman Khan separates ‘people of Balochistan’ from ‘people of Pakistan.’” Another user posted, “Slip of tongue or subtle truth? Salman Khan just called Balochistan separate from Pakistan!” On the other hand, several fans defended the actor. One post read, “We really shouldn’t expect geopolitical precision from Bollywood. It was just a passing remark.” As of now, Salman Khan and his team have not issued any clarification on the matter.

Why Balochistan Remains Sensitive Topic?

The controversy has reignited discussion about the ongoing unrest in Balochistan, Pakistan’s largest province by area and a key part of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). The province has long faced an insurgency led by groups seeking greater autonomy or independence from Islamabad, citing political marginalisation and economic neglect.

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Balochistan, rich in natural gas and minerals, is strategically important due to its Gwadar Port, located near the Gulf of Oman. However, decades of conflict and allegations of human rights violations have kept the region volatile. The broader Baloch region also spans across Iran (Sistan-Baluchistan) and Afghanistan, making it a geopolitically sensitive area.

ALSO READ: Pakistan: Quetta-Bound Jaffar Express Targeted By IED Explosion Near Sindh-Balochistan Border, Multiple Injured

Despite the viral storm surrounding his remark, the actor has chosen to remain silent, allowing social media to continue its debate over whether his comment was a casual slip, or a deliberate statement.

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