Zakir Naik Receives Red Carpet Welcome in Pakistan

Controversial Islamic preacher Zakir Naik was warmly welcomed in Pakistan as he arrived in Islamabad on Monday. Naik, who is wanted in India on charges of hate speech and inciting communal disharmony, will remain in Pakistan until October 28.

At the airport, Naik was greeted by several dignitaries, including the Chairman of the Prime Minister’s Youth Program Rana Mashhood, Additional Secretary of the Ministry of Religious Affairs Syed Atta-ur-Rehman, and Parliamentary Secretary for Religious Affairs Shamsher Ali Mazari. In the evening, Naik shared a photo of his meeting with Mohammad Ishaq Dar, Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs.

Zakir Naik is set to deliver public speeches in Islamabad, Karachi, and Lahore, and he will also lead and address Friday prayer congregations, according to a report by The Tribune. Since 2016, Naik has been residing in Malaysia after the National Investigation Agency (NIA) registered a case against him under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act and relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code.

The NIA’s action followed the Dhaka terror attack in July 2016, where one of the attackers admitted to being influenced by Naik’s preaching through his YouTube channel. India has requested his extradition, but Malaysia has yet to comply.

Aakhir Tak Editor-in-Chief

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