Islamabad: Zakir Naik, a controversial Islamic preacher wanted for alleged money laundering, met Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday.
In a post on X, Zakir Naik shared his meeting with PM Shehbaz Sharif, saying, “Interaction with Prime Minister Mian Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan.”
Zakir Naik arrived in Pakistan on Monday under tight security for a lecture series in Islamabad, Karachi, and Lahore at the invitation of the Pakistani government. He posted a video on X showing his arrival at the airport, where he was greeted with hugs and presented with a bouquet by high-ranking officials.
At the New Islamabad Airport, he was received by leaders 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, reported The Express Tribune.
During his month-long tour, Naik will meet senior government officials and participate in public events. His son, Fariq Naik, an Islamic scholar, will accompany him.
Naik’s team posted on X about his public talks in Karachi (October 5-6), Lahore (October 12-13), and Islamabad (October 19-20) as part of the Pakistan tour.
Earlier, Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, during his visit to India in August, stated that Malaysia would not tolerate terrorism if evidence against Naik were presented.
Naik is currently wanted by India’s National Investigation Agency for a 2016 money laundering case and is accused of delivering hate speeches. His TV channel, PeaceTV, is banned in India, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka, and he has been denied entry into Canada and the UK due to his controversial views.
