'Not surprising': MEA on Zakir Naik's visit to Pakistan
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has expressed its "disappointment" over the visit of controversial Islamic preacher Zakir Naik to Pakistan. MEA spokesperson Randheer Jaiswal described the visit as "condemnable" but added it was not "surprising." "We have seen reports that he has been feted in Pakistan and warmly welcomed there," Jaiswal said during a press briefing on Friday.
Naik's itinerary and meetings in Pakistan
Naik, a fugitive in India, arrived in Pakistan on Tuesday for a month-long tour. He is scheduled to deliver lectures in Islamabad, Karachi, and Lahore. A day after his arrival, he met with Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. This is his first visit to the country since 1992. Naik is wanted in India for alleged money laundering and inciting "extremism" through "hate speeches."
Naik's legal troubles and recent controversies
He fled India in 2016 and has since become a permanent resident of Malaysia. His channel, Peace TV, has been banned by the governments of India, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka due to its controversial nature. Naik has also been denied entry into Canada and the United Kingdom. In latest development, the controversial preacher said the proposed Waqf amendment bill bore "evil repercussions" and appealed to Muslims to send in their rejections to the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC).
Naik's criticism of Modi government and response
Naik claimed that if passed by Parliament, this legislation would "snatch thousands of mosques, madrasas, graveyards and lakhs of acres of land from Indian Muslims." During his stay in Pakistan until October 28, Naik is expected to deliver several speeches and meet with prominent figures of the Pakistan establishment. He was given a red-carpet welcome by senior Pakistan officials upon his arrival.
