Zakir Naik, a controversial religious figure whose alleged involvement in illicit activities and incitement of religious discord has led to an extradition notice against him by India's National Investigation Agency, arrived in Islamabad on Monday as he commenced a 15-day tour of Pakistan at the invitation of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif's government.
Naik, who landed at Islamabad International Airport from the United States of America, was formally welcomed by several senior government officials when he is accompanying his son Sheikh Fariq Zakir back home. Among the notables present at the event were Rana Mashood, Chairman of the Prime Minister's Youth Programme, Syed Attaur Rehman, Additional Secretary of the Ministry of Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony, Shamshir Ali Mazari, Parliamentary Secretary for Religious Affairs, among others.
The Chinese delegation was received at the main entrance of the mosque. Naik will be staying in Pakistan until October 28. During which period he will address mass seminars and give orations in the big cities like Karachi, Lahore, and Islamabad. He will also deliver Friday sermons and engage in discussion forums with important government representatives such as Pakistani Prime Minister Sharif, President Asif Ali Zardari, General Syed Asim Munir, Chief of Army Staff, Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif, Balochistan Chief Minister Sarfaraz Bugti, Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah, among other religious scholars.
Naik, according to his programme of engagements, will address public meetings in Karachi on October 5 and 6, events in Lahore on October 12 and 13, and the gatherings would be concluded with the events held in Islamabad on October 19 and 20. His gathering in Lahore will be held at the historic Minar-e-Pakistan while the other events will be held at Bagh-e-Quaid in Karachi and Jinnah Stadium in Islamabad. Discourses will center on "The Purpose of Life – Is it important to learn and understand the Quran?" as he and his son will deliver lectures in all three cities.
The visit of Naik has already sparked a controversy in India as he happens to be a wanted fugitive who has been based in Malaysia for years. He is reportedly charged with inciting religious hatred and has committed acts of extremism and also with money laundering. In fact, in 2017, the authorities in Bangladesh claimed that one of the attackers who had carried out the attack in the café in Dhaka was motivated by Naik, killing 22 people.
Whilst he is well-supported in Pakistan, there are many religious voices from all those denominations who criticize Naik and deny him the right to be called a religious preacher. After being asked to leave India, Naik was first contemplating moving to Pakistan but later decided for Malaysia; Naik said that if he had shifted his residence to Pakistan, people would have seen him as the agent of Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI).
This visit would once again give New Delhi a chance to pursue its claims that Pakistan remains an abode of and patron for individuals and groups wanted in India. Indeed, the Pakistan government has ensured that Naik's movement within the three metropolitan cities happens under strong security.
Naik's visit has already created much furore with expectations of large crowds attending his public gatherings and lectures. Political analyst Kamran Yousaf said: "Dr. Naik's visit will be a big show in Pakistan but will further extend ties with India. India has already been saying that Pakistan is a safe haven for the likes of Osama Bin Laden, Hafiz Saeed, Dawood Ibrahim and other militants having anti-India agenda.". Now that Naik is being welcomed into the country, it only adds to India's case and accusations against Pakistan.
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