New Delhi: India has criticised Pakistan for hosting fugitive preacher Zakir Naik, questioning its support for a wanted individual. Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal, addressing the issue during his weekly press briefing, remarked that this was not the first time Naik had received such treatment in Pakistan, adding that the support extended to him spoke volumes about the approach of his hosts.

Naik, wanted in India for alleged money laundering and promoting religious extremism, recently met former Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz. The meeting, which took place at the Sharif family estate in Raiwind, has drawn attention, though no official statement has been released regarding what was discussed.

A 2017 report highlighted Naik’s widespread reach, stating that he had 16 million followers on Facebook, 150,000 on Twitter, and had delivered over 4,000 lectures on Islam worldwide. His troubles escalated after Bangladeshi authorities linked him to the 2016 Dhaka cafe attack, in which one of the gunmen responsible for killing 22 people was reportedly inspired by him. Following this, Bangladesh banned his channel, Peace TV, which claims to reach 100 million viewers globally. Naik denied supporting violence, asserting that killing innocent beings is one of the greatest sins in Islam.

Despite this, India’s National Investigation Agency (NIA) filed a case against Naik and his Mumbai-based non-profit, the Islamic Research Foundation (IRF), in November 2016, accusing him of unlawful activities and promoting religious hatred. Subsequently, the Indian government imposed a five-year ban on the IRF under anti-terror laws.

The controversy deepened when former Pakistan cricketer Mohammad Hafeez shared pictures of his meeting with Naik on social media, calling it a “pleasure.” The post received backlash, particularly from Indian nationals, with many linking it to India's reluctance to visit Pakistan for cricket matches. Some online users suggested that such associations reinforced India's concerns about security.

Naik’s presence in Pakistan has also been criticised domestically. On October 24, 2024, Reverend Azad Marshall, President Bishop of the Synod of the Church of Pakistan, wrote to Pakistan’s President Asif Ali Zardari, raising concerns about remarks made by Naik regarding Christianity during a previous visit as a state guest.

While India continues to push for Naik’s extradition, Pakistan has remained silent on the matter. His recent interactions with top political figures in the country have further complicated diplomatic relations, raising questions about Pakistan’s stance on individuals facing legal scrutiny abroad.