Salman Khan’s Balochistan remark at Joy Forum 2025 sparks online debate

Salman Khan on Balochistan remark

Salman Khan has found himself at the centre of an unexpected social media debate following a remark he made during his appearance at the Joy Forum 2025 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

The superstar was joined by Shah Rukh Khan and Aamir Khan on stage, where he spoke about the vibrant South Asian communities working in the Middle East.

During the conversation, Salman highlighted the growing popularity of Indian cinema in Saudi Arabia and the wider region, but it was his phrasing that caught everyone’s attention.

“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.”

By mentioning Balochistan separately from Pakistan, Salman’s comment immediately went viral, with many online users debating whether it was a slip of the tongue or something more meaningful.

The clip quickly spread across platforms like X (formerly Twitter), drawing mixed reactions. Some fans found the comment intriguing, while others speculated that it may have been an intentional reference.

Journalist Smita Prakash wrote, “I don’t know if it was slip of tongue, but this is amazing! Salman Khan separates ‘people of Balochistan’ from ‘people of Pakistan’.”
Another user asked,

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“Slip of tongue from Salman Khan or lack of knowledge or deliberate hint that Balochistan is ‘independent’? That too with Aamir Khan & SRK on dais?”

Others, however, defended the actor, suggesting that he was simply recognising the diversity of people in the Gulf. X user Jasmin Ahmed wrote, “When @BeingSalmanKhan said ‘Balochistan, Afghanistan, Pakistan...’ - it speaks volumes. Balochistan is not a Pakistani province - it’s a nation. Baloch is our identity and our state.”

Balochistan, Pakistan’s largest province, has long been home to demands for greater autonomy. Despite its vast mineral wealth and strategic location — including the Gwadar port, a key point in the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor — locals have often voiced frustration over underdevelopment and lack of representation.