Zakir Naik Meets Nawaz Sharif And Punjab CM Maryam Sharif In Pakistan

Fugitive Islamic preacher Dr. Zakir Naik, who is wanted in India on charges of hate speech, money laundering, and promoting extremism, recently met former Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz at their residence in Raiwind. The meeting, held at the Sharif family’s estate, has sparked fresh concerns in India, as Naik remains a fugitive from Indian law and continues to evade extradition.

While no official statement has been released regarding the nature of the discussions, the meeting has raised eyebrows, especially given Naik’s status as a wanted man in India. His visit to Pakistan follows growing diplomatic pressure from India for his extradition from Malaysia, where he has been living since 2016 after fleeing India.

Naik, the founder of the Islamic Research Foundation (IRF), has long been accused of radicalizing youth and promoting sectarian hatred through his speeches. His statements have been linked to acts of terrorism, including the 2016 Dhaka café attack, where one of the attackers cited Naik’s sermons as inspiration.

Pakistan’s Growing Ties with Naik?

This meeting comes at a time when Naik appears to be gaining more visibility in Pakistan. Recently, former Pakistani cricketer Mohammad Hafeez met him and shared pictures on social media, calling it a “pleasure” to meet the controversial preacher. The post drew strong criticism, with many questioning why a public figure like Hafeez would associate with Naik.

As per a report from The Express Tribune, one social media user wrote, “This is one of the reasons why the Indian cricket team and the Indian government do not want to come to Pakistan.”

India’s Case Against Zakir Naik

India has been pursuing legal action against Naik for years, with multiple charges filed against him, including:

• Hate Speech & Radicalization: Indian authorities accuse Naik of spreading religious hatred and influencing youth towards extremism. His speeches have been linked to individuals involved in terror activities.
• Money Laundering Case: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has charged him under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), alleging that his foundation received suspicious funds, some of which were used for radical activities. Over ₹193 crore worth of assets linked to him have been attached.
• Ban on His Organization: In 2016, the Indian government banned his IRF under anti-terror laws, citing its role in promoting forced religious conversions and funding radical activities.
• Extradition Efforts & Legal Evasion: India has repeatedly sought Naik’s extradition from Malaysia, but the country has refused to hand him over. Reports have also suggested that he was seeking Omani citizenship to further evade legal action.

Naik’s recent meeting with senior Pakistani leadership adds another layer to India’s concerns regarding his growing radicalization in the region. The Indian government has long maintained that Naik’s presence in any country providing him a platform is a threat to regional security.