Even as fugitive Islamic preacher Zakir Naik continued to draw sharp criticism from people across the country over controversial remarks from his ongoing Pakistan tour, he apologized on Friday for some of his recent utterances about Pakistan International Airlines or PIA.
A video of Naik had gone viral on social media earlier this week where he was seen ridiculing PIA for levying excess baggage charges while traveling to Pakistan last month.
"I was coming to Pakistan. Our luggage was 1000kg. I spoke to the PIA CEO. The station manager told me that he would do anything for me. I replied, 'I have 500 kg to 600 kg extra luggage.' He offered me a 50 per cent discount. I made it clear to him to give it for free or leave it," Naik said during one of his lectures in Karachi.
"I am let off free in India as they waive 1000-2000 kg on seeing me. And here, in Pakistan, where I am a guest of the government and 'state guest' is stamped on my visa, the CEO is offering me a 50 percent discount. I felt so disappointed. I told them I do not want your discount. I feel bad but this is the truth, this is the state of affairs in Pakistan," he had added.
Naik's comments did not go down too well with the people of Pakistan, even his radical followers.
"What an utter embarrassment Zakir Naik has proven to be. Whoever invited him, never again! PIA should have demanded FULL amount though. Any real Islamic preacher would never demand special treatment-or at least keep mum about it publically if they aren't getting it.
"This man Zakir Naik thinks 13-14 years old orphan girls are 'khawateen' (grown-ups) and he can't share the stage with them. He publicly criticizes national airlines for denying luggage fee waiver, also says that women who choose to remain unmarried instead of becoming a second wife to someone are public property (bazaari). He also snubs a Pukhtun girl for asking a legit question about pedophilia. Despite all this, gained some more followers, and some brain dead people are defending him, clearly we as a nation are MAGNET for arrogant people & women haters. State should invite reasonable people, we already have plenty of these roaming on the streets. Yeh Wrong Number Hai!.
Realizing the consequent major furore over his remarks, Naik released an apology through public statements while claiming he had nearly forgotten all about it since his last objective is to achieve a "passport to paradise" rather than getting bogged down with such worldly issues.
"If my words have caused discomfort to my Pakistani brothers, I sincerely apologize," he told the audience during an event.
However, Naik, wanted by India for charges of spreading religious hate and extremism and is also accused of money laundering cases, remains at the receiving end of flak even in Pakistan for promoting his jihadist mentality.
He has been courting controversy since his arrival at Islamabad International Airport on 30th September along with his son Sheikh Fariq Zakir, on a comprehensive tour of Pakistan, which he had been invited to by Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.
"We truly don't deserve someone like Zakir Naik, an ignorant, outdated, and extremist person who wouldn't even fit in the Stone Age. If he's your ideal, lock yourself up, or even a glance at a na-mahram will send you to hell," a Pakistani social media influencer wrote on X Friday.
"I want to apologise that 15-20 years ago, due to my lack of knowledge and immaturity, I was very impressed by him. However, today I feel deeply ashamed, and I declare that Zakir Naik is just as vile and corrupt as other religious clerics," he added.
Read also| PM Modi Holds Meeting with Canadian PM Justin Trudeau in Laos
Read also| PM Modi Advocates for Peace in Eurasia and West Asia, Emphasizes Diplomacy Over Conflict
