Pakistan(Washington Insider Magazine) -Fugitive Islamic preacher Zakir Naik arrived in Pakistan on October 1, 2024, amid tight security, following an invitation from the Government of Pakistan. Wanted in India for alleged money laundering and hate speech, Naik was greeted at the New Islamabad Airport by high-ranking officials, including Rana Mashhood, Chairman of the Pakistan Prime Minister’s Youth Program, and Syed Atta-ur-Rehman, Additional Secretary of the Ministry of Religious Affairs.
Naik, accompanied by his son Fariq Naik, an Islamic scholar, plans a month-long tour that includes public lectures and meetings with senior government officials in cities like Islamabad, Karachi, and Lahore. His team announced a series of public talks scheduled for October 5-6 in Karachi, October 12-13 in Lahore, and October 19-20 in Islamabad.
The invitation comes despite Naik’s controversial history, including accusations of inciting hate and promoting extremist sentiments. Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim recently stated that Malaysia would not condone terrorism and indicated that the country would act if sufficient evidence were presented against Naik.
Zakir Naik is the founder of the banned channel PeaceTV, which has faced restrictions in India, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka due to its inflammatory content. He has also been denied entry into Canada and the UK over similar concerns. His arrival in Pakistan has sparked debate and raised questions about the government’s stance on extremism and its implications for regional security.
