‘Disappointing, condemnable but not surprising’: MEA on Zakir Naik's Pakistan visit

The controversial Islamic preacher, a fugitive in India, arrived in Pakistan on Tuesday for a month-long tour.

Published on: Oct 4, 2024, 17:32:45 IST

By HT News Desk, New Delhi

Prefer HTon Google

Share via

Copy link

Conveying India's ‘disappointment’ over the visit to Pakistan of controversial Islamic preacher Zakir Naik, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) described the visit as 'condemnable' but added it was not 'surprising.'

Islamic preacher Zakir Naik (File Photo/Reuters)

MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal made the statement at a press briefing on Friday.

"We have seen reports that he has been fitted into Pakistan and warmly welcomed there," Jaiswal said, referring to Naik.

"It is not surprising to us that an Indian fugitive has received a high-level welcome in Pakistan. It is disappointing and condemnable but not surprising," the spokesperson stated further.

Naik, 58, arrived in the neighbouring nation on Tuesday for the month-long tour. He will deliver lectures in Islamabad, the capital of Pakistan, and Karachi and Lahore, its largest and second-largest cities.

A day after his arrival, he met Pakistan prime minister Shehbaz Sharif in Islamabad. Also, this is his first visit to that country since 1992.

Naik is wanted in India for alleged money laundering and for inciting 'extremism' through ‘hate speeches.’ He fled in 2016 and became a permanent resident of Malaysia.

Also Read | Zakir Naik case shouldn’t deter enhancing India-Malaysia relations: Malaysian PM

Also, he runs a channel called 'Peace TV' that has been banned by the governments of India, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka, due to its 'controversial' nature. Additionally, Naik has been denied entry into Canada and the United Kingdom.

A vocal critic of the Narendra Modi government, the Islamic preacher targeted it recently over the proposed Waqf amendment bill, saying that if passed by Parliament, the legislation would ‘snatch thousands of mosques, madrasas, graveyards and lakhs of acres of land from Indian Muslims.'

Hitting back, Union minister Kiren Rijiju accused him of spreading ‘false and fake propaganda.’ Rijiu also claimed the latter was trying to create ‘communal disturbances’ in the country.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
HT News Desk
Follow the latest breaking news, major developments and agenda-setting stories from India and around the world with the newsdesk at Hindustan Times. Operating round the clock, the desk brings together experienced editors, reporters and correspondents to deliver fast, accurate and contextual reporting across subjects that influence public policy, governance, business, society and international affairs. The HT News Desk covers politics, elections, government policies, the economy, business and markets, science and technology, the environment, law and order, infrastructure, education, climate issues and geopolitics, while closely tracking developments across states, institutions and global capitals. The team also leads coverage of major breaking news events, policy announcements, court proceedings, natural disasters, public emergencies and significant international developments. Reports published by the newsdesk are based on information gathered from reporters on the ground, official statements, government agencies, court records, regulatory filings, recognised institutions and other authoritative sources. Stories undergo editorial scrutiny and verification processes to ensure accuracy, fairness and relevance, and are updated as events evolve and additional information becomes available. Whether covering a key political decision in New Delhi, an economic policy shift affecting millions, a landmark court ruling or a major global event, the HT News Desk aims to provide readers with reliable, fact-based journalism that delivers not only the latest developments but also the context and analysis needed to understand their wider implications.Read More

Zakir Naik

Follow India news real-time updates and the latest news covered on Hindustan Times, featuring today's critical updates on Sonam Wangchuk LIVE and more across India.