“Zakir Naik’s Visit to Pakistan: Disappointing but Not Unexpected”
New Delhi: The Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson, Randhir Jaiswal, expressed disappointment over the high-profile welcome extended to fugitive Islamic preacher Zakir Naik in Pakistan, though he stated it was not unexpected. “It’s something which is disappointing and condemnable; but at the same time, as I said, it’s not surprising,” Jaiswal remarked during a press briefing.
Naik, who faces allegations of money laundering and hate speech in India, arrived in Pakistan on Monday for a month-long visit. Currently residing in Malaysia, he previously visited Pakistan in 1992.
Upon his arrival at Islamabad International Airport, Naik was greeted by officials from the Ministry of Religious Affairs and Rana Mashhood, an aide to the Prime Minister, as reported by Dawn News. His visit includes public events and meetings with senior government officials, and is scheduled to last until October 28.
Naik has been living in Malaysia since fleeing India in 2016, where he was granted permanent residency by the previous government led by Mahathir Mohamad. During his stay in Pakistan, he reportedly met with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, who praised him for promoting the teachings of the Holy Quran and Islamic values globally.
Sharif noted that the Muslim community takes pride in Naik’s efforts to project a positive image of Islam, stating, “It is heartening to note that a vast majority of youth listened to his lectures,” according to Dawn News.
