Did Pakistan really call Salman Khan a terrorist? Here’s what we know

A recent claim circulating on social media suggests that Pakistan has labeled Bollywood actor Salman Khan a “terrorist” and added him to its terror watchlist. This claim stems from a purported notification dated October 16, 2025, allegedly issued by the Government of Balochistan’s Home Department. The document reportedly lists Salman Khan as an “Azad Balochistan Facilitator,” implying support for separatist activities in the Balochistan region.

What was the entire matter?

The controversy began after Salman Khan’s comments at the Joy Forum 2025 in Riyadh, where he mentioned Balochistan separately while discussing the global influence of India(BHARAT)n cinema. His remark was “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.”,” was interpreted by some as endorsing the “Azad Balochistan” movement, a separatist cause opposed by Pakistan.

Are these claims valid?

Upon examination, several red flags have emerged regarding the authenticity of the notification:

1. Lack of Official Sources: No credible Pakistani government website or media outlet has reported on Salman Khan’s inclusion in the terror watchlist.
2. Document Discrepancies: The purported notification lacks official elements such as a dispatch number, seal, and signature, which are typically present in authentic government documents.
3. Grammatical Errors: The language used in the document appears unprofessional and contains grammatical mistakes, further casting doubt on its legitimacy.

Cybersecurity experts have also analyzed the document and concluded that it is likely digitally fabricated.

What Salman Khan has to say?

As of now, Salman Khan has not publicly commented on the viral claim. However, a close associate of the actor dismissed the accusation as a “laughable fabrication given credence only by trolls. The claim that Pakistan has declared Salman Khan a “terrorist” and added him to its terror watchlist is unfounded and lacks credible evidence. The circulating document appears to be a doctored piece of misinformation. It’s essential to approach such claims with skepticism and rely on verified sources for accurate information.

Story Highlights

1. A fake notification claims Pakistan has labeled Salman Khan a “terrorist” and added him to its terror watchlist.
2. The controversy began after Salman Khan’s comments at the Joy Forum 2025 in Riyadh, where he mentioned Balochistan separately while discussing the global influence of India(BHARAT)n cinema.
3. The purported notification lacks official elements, contains grammatical errors, and is likely digitally fabricated.
4. Salman Khan’s associate has dismissed the accusation as a “laughable fabrication”.

The claim that Pakistan has declared Salman Khan a “terrorist” is unfounded and lacks credible evidence.