Controversial Islamic preacher Zakir Naik, who has been living in Malaysia since 2016, has sparked controversy in Pakistan after criticizing Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) for refusing to waive charges for his extra baggage. Zakir Naik, who is wanted in India on charges of hate speech and inciting communal disharmony, arrived in Pakistan on October 1 for a month-long stay as a state guest. He has complained publicly about his treatment by PIA, despite being offered a 50 percent discount on the extra baggage charges.
Zakir Naik, while addressing his supporters in Karachi, shared his dissatisfaction with PIA’s handling of the situation. He explained that his baggage weighed approximately 1,000 kg, with 500 to 600 kg of excess luggage, as he was traveling with six people. After contacting the CEO of PIA, Zakir Naik was offered a 50 percent discount on the charges. However, he expressed his frustration, saying, “I told them to either waive the charges completely or leave it. I rejected the discount.”
The preacher compared this experience to his treatment in India, where he claimed that non-Muslims would waive extra baggage fees as a sign of respect for him. “In India, people see Dr. Zakir Naik and readily waive extra baggage, even if it’s 1,000 to 2,000 kg. But in Pakistan, where I am a state guest, the PIA only offers me a 50 percent discount. This would never happen in India,” Zakir Naik said, lamenting his experience as a guest of the Pakistani government.
Zakir Naik also expressed his displeasure with the cost of the excess baggage fee, stating that the airline charged him 101 Malaysian ringgit (approximately Rs 2,137) per kilogram of extra luggage. “I was hurt that PIA could not allow me to carry 300 kg of extra baggage for free, despite my status as a state guest,” he added.
The preacher’s remarks quickly went viral on social media, where many Pakistanis trolled and criticized him. Some users defended PIA’s decision, pointing out the airline’s financial difficulties. One user remarked, “The state should choose state guests wisely,” while another mocked Zakir Naik, saying, “I hope he doesn’t visit our duty-free store, or he’ll send curses upon us.”
Zakir Naik fled India in 2016 after the National Investigation Agency (NIA) filed a case against him following the Dhaka terror attacks, where one of the attackers confessed to being influenced by Zakir Naik’s speeches. India has since sought his extradition from Malaysia, but the request remains unfulfilled. Zakir Naik continues to reside in Malaysia, where he delivers sermons and lectures, while India has declared him a fugitive and revoked his passport.
