Balochistan No More Part of Pakistan? Salman Khan's Saudi Event Speech Sparks Debate - Video

Bollywood superstar Salman Khan has found himself at the centre of an online discussion following his recent appearance at the Joy Forum 2025 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

The actor's brief comment during the event has become the talk of the internet, with many users debating whether he unintentionally separated Balochistan from Pakistan while describing South Asian communities living in the Middle East.

The Viral Clip from Riyadh Event

A video from the star-studded event has gone viral, showing Salman Khan talking about the global success of Indian films and the South Asian diaspora's growing influence.

In the video, Salman says, "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."

I don’t know if it was slip of tongue, but this is amazing! Salman Khan separates “people of Balochistan” from “people of Pakistan” .
pic.twitter.com/dFNKOBKoEz

— Smita Prakash (@smitaprakash) October 19, 2025

The remark triggered a wave of reactions on social media, with some users pointing out that his phrasing seemed to place Balochistan outside of Pakistan. Others argued it was likely just an innocent mistake during an unscripted conversation.

Mixed Reactions Across Social Media

The clip, widely circulated on X (formerly Twitter), quickly became a trending topic. While some netizens accused the actor of making a politically charged statement, others defended him, saying the comment was taken out of context.

Salman Khan, who was joined on stage by fellow Bollywood icons Shah Rukh Khan and Aamir Khan, has not issued any clarification or response to the controversy so far.

Balochistan: A Region of Longstanding Sensitivity

Balochistan remains a politically sensitive area in South Asia. Several groups in the region have long demanded greater autonomy, alleging economic marginalization and political neglect. Pakistan, on the other hand, considers Balochistan an integral part of the country and maintains that separatist movements receive foreign support.

As discussions continue online, many await whether Salman Khan or his team will address the statement that has unexpectedly drawn global attention.