Pakistani journalist Mubasher Lucman describes Naik as “India’s worst export”; calls for ban on preacher
Pakistan’s rolling out of the red carpet for radical Islamic preacher Zakir Naik, wanted in India for terror-related charges, has faced criticism inside the nation. Pakistani journalist Mubasher Lucman described Naik as “India’s worst export”, stating that the preacher must be prohibited from delivering public sermons and spreading hatred.
Naik visited Pakistan as an official guest on October 1 and plans to remain in the country until October 28. Naik, who has been in exile since 2016, escaped India following accusations of inciting hatred and engaging in money laundering.
In an interview with India Today, Pakistani reporter Lucman raised doubts about Pakistan’s decision to invite Naik as a “state guest”, a privilege usually reserved for important dignitaries and foreign leaders.
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“I am influenced by Muslim scholars and those scholars have only preached love, sharing and harmony. Every time I listen to Naik, I feel he is spewing hatred. Someone must have done something to him when he was very young and that is coming out now. He should not be allowed to give public sermons,” Lucman said.
India has severely criticised Naik’s warm welcome in Pakistan
India expressed discontent and criticized Naik’s visit to Pakistan, where he received a warm welcome from Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, deeming it “condemnable”.
“It is not surprising to us that an Indian fugitive has received a high-level welcome in Pakistan. It is disappointing and condemnable but not surprising,” the Ministry of External Affairs said.
Zakir Naik, who was born in Mumbai, has been living in Malaysia since fleeing India. His Islamic Research Foundation (IRF) has been banned in India.
