Controversial Tour Sparks Tension: Zakir Naik's Remarks Stir Outrage

Christian leaders in Pakistan have contacted President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to address concerns over Islamic preacher Zakir Naik. Naik, invited by the government, is accused of making anti-Christian remarks during his tour. Leaders urge action to prevent divisions under state sponsorship.

Pakistan's Christian leadership has reached out to President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, demanding intervention over remarks made by visiting Islamic preacher Zakir Naik. Known for his controversial statements, Naik has sparked alarm among Christian communities throughout his current tour of Pakistan.

Naik was invited by the Pakistani government for a month-long visit—the first in three decades. His appearances in cities such as Karachi, Islamabad, and Lahore have been marked by speeches deemed inflammatory towards Christians, raising concerns among religious leaders about the impact on religious harmony.

The Christian leadership criticized the state for hosting Naik, calling for corrective measures against his inciting discourse. They argue his rhetoric undermines national unity and violates the founding vision of religious inclusivity in Pakistan.

(With inputs from agencies.)