Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal has said it was not surprising to see fugitive Islamic preacher Zakir Naik receiving a high-level welcome in Pakistan.

Zakir Naik is wanted by the Indian authorities for alleged money laundering and inciting extremism through hate speeches. He left India in 2016.

Naik, who arrived in Pakistan at the invitation of the government on Tuesday for a month-long visit, was given a red-carpet welcome and subsequently met with Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar.

Naik is scheduled to deliver lectures in major Pakistani cities, including Kara­chi, Islamabad and Lahore. It is Naik's first visit to Pakistan in three decades, PTI reported.

In a move that has ignited controversy and debate, Zakir Naik, the fugitive Islamic preacher wanted in India on charges of money laundering and incitement to religious hatred, has arrived in Pakistan.

Pakistan has rolled out the red carpet for radical Islamic preacher Zakir Naik, who is wanted in India for inciting communal disharmony and laundering money. It is Pakistan where Zakir Naik, who resides in Malaysia now,

Islamic preacher Zakir Naik's social media account on the platform "X" (formerly known as Twitter) has been blocked in India.

Controversial preacher Zakir Naik's visit to Pakistan has sparked concerns over escalating extremist sentiments. This could also anger India, where the televangelist is wanted for hate speech.

India on Friday condemned Pakistan for giving warm welcome to Islamic preacher Zakir Naik. Naik is living in Malaysia. He began a nearly month-long visit to Pakistan on Tuesday.