Even as it announced foreign minister S Jaishankar‘s visit to Islamabad, the govt slammed Pakistan for hosting Indian fugitive Zakir Naik. Condemning the visit, the govt said it wasn’t surprised that a fugitive from Indian justice had received a high-level welcome in Pakistan. “It is disappointing and condemnable, but as I said not surprising,” the MEA spokesperson said.
Naik is wanted by 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 govt led by Mahathir Mohamad.
The official said India’s
extradition
request to the Malaysian govt is pending. “We are pursuing the extradition with the Malaysian govt,” he said. India raised the issue during Malaysian PM Anwar Ibrahim’s visit recently.
