ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Ministry of Information and Broadcasting’s Fact Check unit has refuted Indian media claims suggesting that Bollywood actor Salman Khan has been placed on Pakistan’s “Fourth Schedule” under the Anti-Terrorism Act for making remarks about Balochistan. Reports from outlets including India Today alleged that Khan had been labelled a “terror facilitator.”
However, no official statement, notification, or entry was found on the National Counter Terrorism Authority’s (NACTA) list of proscribed persons, nor in any gazette issued by Pakistan’s Ministry of Interior or provincial Home Departments confirming such inclusion.
All available information originates from Indian media reports repeating the same claim without any traceable link to an official Pakistani document or announcement. In the absence of verifiable evidence, the claim has been deemed false. The Ministry noted that the story appears to be a product of sensationalism rather than substantiated fact.
According to the clarification, such reports often stem from motives like click-bait and sensationalism, especially when involving high-profile Bollywood stars. They can also serve to amplify narratives portraying Pakistan as aggressive, distract from other domestic issues, or be used for political signalling that fuels nationalistic sentiments.
The Ministry advised the public to rely only on official Pakistani government notifications such as those issued by the Interior Ministry, Home Department Balochistan, or under the Anti-Terrorism Act before believing such claims. It further urged caution in treating celebrity-related national-security stories and encouraged verification through primary legal documents rather than secondary media sources.
The Fact Check unit concluded that such stories, especially in the India-Pakistan context, may be part of propaganda efforts serving agendas beyond factual reporting.
