ISLAMABAD: The Shehbaz Sharif govt's red carpet welcome for controversial Islamic preacher Zakir Naik, wanted in India for money laundering and hate speeches, has triggered a backlash in Pakistan over what many see as a bid to divert attention from the nation's political, constitutional, financial and security challenges.
The 58-year-old exiled preacher, making his first visit to Pakistan in three decades on the govt's invitation, has already met Shehbaz and is scheduled to deliver lectures in several cities, including Islamabad.
Naik said in his opening remarks to media after his arrival this week that he didn't break law in India and was being targeted by "enemies of Islam". The timing of his trip is crucial. Sharif's govt stands accused of denying political space to the opposition. The judiciary seems as politically polarised and divided as the rest of society.
On Thursday, the Supreme Court revoked its earlier decision to bar lawmakers from defecting against their party's policy line in parliament. It has paved the way for the govt to garner the required support to make a set of amendments to the constitution, several of which pertain to the judiciary. "Since the govt knew that Oct would be crucial, it invited Zakir Naik intentionally," said Nazrul Islam, a critic of the PML-N govt.
In India, Naik has been accused of inciting hatred and hostility amongst various religious groups through his public speeches and lectures. He also faces cases pertaining to financial crime.
Many in Pakistan warn that Naik could inflame extremist sentiments in an already restive country. "Authorities have added fuel to the fire," nuclear physicist and activist Pervez Hoodbhoy has said. "Naik is banned in a number of nations, but Pakistan is committed to embracing fundamentalism."
The 58-year-old exiled preacher, making his first visit to Pakistan in three decades on the govt's invitation, has already met Shehbaz and is scheduled to deliver lectures in several cities, including Islamabad.
Naik said in his opening remarks to media after his arrival this week that he didn't break law in India and was being targeted by "enemies of Islam". The timing of his trip is crucial. Sharif's govt stands accused of denying political space to the opposition. The judiciary seems as politically polarised and divided as the rest of society.
On Thursday, the Supreme Court revoked its earlier decision to bar lawmakers from defecting against their party's policy line in parliament. It has paved the way for the govt to garner the required support to make a set of amendments to the constitution, several of which pertain to the judiciary. "Since the govt knew that Oct would be crucial, it invited Zakir Naik intentionally," said Nazrul Islam, a critic of the PML-N govt.
In India, Naik has been accused of inciting hatred and hostility amongst various religious groups through his public speeches and lectures. He also faces cases pertaining to financial crime.
Many in Pakistan warn that Naik could inflame extremist sentiments in an already restive country. "Authorities have added fuel to the fire," nuclear physicist and activist Pervez Hoodbhoy has said. "Naik is banned in a number of nations, but Pakistan is committed to embracing fundamentalism."
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