Zakir Naik Meets Lashkar-e-Taiba Terrorists During Visit to Pakistan, Sparks International Concerns.

Zakir Naik, a controversial Islamic preacher wanted in India for promoting hate speech and extremism, has been seen meeting with members of the terror group Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) during his visit to Pakistan. Naik, who is in Pakistan as a state guest since September 30, met LeT commander Muzammil Iqbal Hashmi, Muhammad Harris Dhar, and Faisal Nadeem at Lahore’s iconic Badshahi Mosque. All three LeT operatives are designated ‘international terrorists’ by the United States since 2008.

Footage, verified by India Today, shows Naik embracing these LeT figures during the mosque event, which drew over 150,000 attendees and was secured by Lahore police. Naik also addressed the gathering, further fueling concerns about his influence in the region.

India has condemned Naik’s visit, calling it “unacceptable,” given his history of inciting extremism and his alleged role in influencing one of the perpetrators of the 2016 Dhaka terror attack. The National Investigation Agency (NIA) had registered a case against Naik under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) and the Indian Penal Code, prompting him to flee to Malaysia in 2016.

The meetings with LeT operatives, who are responsible for multiple terror attacks including the 2008 Mumbai attacks, have raised serious alarm internationally. Pakistan’s decision to host Naik as a state guest, a privilege usually reserved for foreign dignitaries, has further strained diplomatic relations.

Online campaigns led by LeT operatives Faisal Nadeem and Muzammil Hashmi promoted Naik’s visit, reflecting an apparent alignment between Naik’s ideology and LeT’s agenda.