Zakir Naik’s visit to Pakistan is disappointing but not surprising, says Indian government

India has said it was not surprising to see fugitive Islamic preacher Zakir Naik receiving a high-level welcome in Pakistan.

“It is something which is disappointing, let me say, condemnable; but at the same time, as I said, it’s not surprising,” Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said during a press briefing.

Indian religious preacher Zakir Naik, who faces charges of money laundering and hate speech in India, arrived in Pakistan on Monday for a month-long visit.

Naik, who currently resides in Malaysia, previously visited Pakistan in 1992.

Upon his arrival at Islamabad International Airport, Naik was received by officials from the Ministry of Religious Affairs and PM’s aide Rana Mashhood, reported Dawn News.

In addition to public events, he is expected to meet senior government officials and participate in various public engagements, as his visit is scheduled to continue until Oct 28, the Pakistani newspaper reported.

Naik is staying in Malaysia as a fugitive. He left India in 2016.

He was granted permanent residency by Malaysia’s previous government led by Mahathir Mohamed.

Naik, meanwhile, met Pakistani PM Shehbaz Sharif during his visit to the country.

Sharif lauded him for spreading the teachings of the Holy Quran and promoting Islamic values worldwide.

He said the Muslim world was proud of him for projecting the real image of Islam across the world.

“It is heartening to note that a vast majority of youth listened to his lectures,” Sharif was quoted as saying by Dawn News.