India

Condemnable but not surprising: MEA on Zakir Naik’s Pakistan visit

October 4, 2024

The visit of controversial Islamic preacher Zakir Naik to Pakistan is disappointing and condemnable but not surprising, the Ministry of External Affairs has said. Naik is wanted by Indian authorities for alleged money laundering and inciting extremism through hate speeches. He left India in 2016.

The radical preacher is currently on a high-profile visit to Pakistan, where he has met Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and is delivering lectures as part of a month-long programme.

“It is not surprising for us that the fugitive from Indian law has received a high-level welcome in Pakistan. It is something which is disappointing, that we say (is) condemnable. But at the same time, it’s not surprising,” MEA spokesperson Randheer Jaiswal said.

While Naik fled India in 2016 after being charged with money laundering and hate speech, he had been given asylum by Malaysia. The spokesperson added that the issue was raised during the Malaysian prime minister’s recent visit to India.

In the past, India has tried without success to get an Interpol Red Corner notice issued against Naik after booking him for allegedly promoting feelings of enmity, hatred or ill-will between different religious communities and groups.