Controversial Islamic Preacher Zakir Naik's X Account Withheld In India Amid His Pakistan Visit

Naik is scheduled to deliver lectures in major Pakistani cities, including Kara­chi, Islamabad and Lahore. It is Naik's first visit to Pakistan in three decades, PTI reported.

Zakir Naik is wanted by Indian authorities.

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India has withheld the X handle of controversial Islamic preacher Zakir Naik amid his visit to neighbouring Pakistan where he received a grand welcome. India on Friday said the way Pakistan feted Naik is condemnable but not surprising.

Naik, who is living in Malaysia, began a nearly month-long visit to Pakistan on Tuesday. "We have seen reports that he (Zakir Naik) has been feted in Pakistan. He has been warmly welcomed there," External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said at his weekly media briefing. "It is not surprising for us that an Indian fugitive has received a high-level welcome in Pakistan. It is something which is disappointing and condemnable but at the same time it is not surprising," he said. Jaiswal said India was not clear on what passport Naik travelled to Pakistan.

India's Extradition Request To Malaysian Govt Is Pending

Naik is wanted by the Indian authorities for alleged money laundering and inciting extremism through hate speeches. He left India in 2016. The Islamic preacher was granted permanent residency in Malaysia by the previous government led by Mahathir Mohamad. India's extradition request to the Malaysian government is pending, Jaiswal said. "We are pursuing the extradition with the Malaysian government," he said.

India is understood to have raised the issue during Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim's visit to New Delhi in August, PTI reported. 

Naik on Wednesday called on Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, who praised his lectures and said they are "insightful and impactful". "Islam is a religion of peace, and you are doing an important duty by spreading the true message of Islam among people," Sharif told Naik.

Naik is scheduled to deliver lectures in major Pakistani cities, including Kara­chi, Islamabad and Lahore. It is Naik's first visit to Pakistan in three decades — the last time he visited was in 1992, PTI reported.