Pakistan rolls out red carpet for wanted fugitive Islamic preacher Zakir Naik

Wanted on alleged money laundering charges, controversial Islamic preacher Zakir Naik arrived in Pakistan on Monday morning amid tight security for his/her lecture series in Islamabad, Karachi and Lahore on the invitation of the Pakistan government.

According to Express Tribune, he/she is ready to hold public dialogues across the country. he/she is also accompanied by his/her son Fariq Naik, who is an Islamic scholar and will tour the country with him/her for lectures.

Upon his/her arrival at the New Islamabad Airport, he/she was welcomed by top leaders of the Government of Pakistan, including Chairman of the Pakistan Prime Minister’s Youth Programme, Rana Mashhood, and Additional Secretary, Ministry of Religious Affairs, Syed Atta. Ur-Rahman, as reported by the Tribune.

Official sources say his/her month-long visit will include meetings with senior government officials and participation in various public events.

In a posting on Islamabad – 19th and 20th October”

Earlier, Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, who visited India on August 20, had said that if sufficient evidence is presented in the case related to fugitive preacher Zakir Naik, the country ‘will not ignore terrorism’.

Addressing the 50th Sapru House Lecture, the Malaysian Prime Minister said, “I am talking about the spirit of extremism, the compelling case, the evidence that shows that atrocities have been committed by individuals, groups or factions or parties. These are a matter of concern for us.”

Zakir Naik is known for his/her inflammatory speeches and is currently wanted by the National Investigation Agency of the Government of India under a 2016 money laundering case. he/she is also accused of provoking people with his/her hate speech.

Naik runs a channel named PeaceTV, which is banned across India, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka due to its controversial nature and has also been denied access to Canada and the United Kingdom.