Pakistan's 'state guest' Zakir Naik expresses dissatisfaction after PIA charges him for extra luggage

He said he was not charged in India for the extra luggage.

He voiced his dissatisfaction after being offered only a 50% discount for 500-600 kg of extra baggage, despite being a state guest, and revealed that he had been in contact with PIA's CEO, reported The Express Tribune.

"I was coming to Pakistan. Our luggage was 1,000kg. I spoke to the PIA CEO. The station manager told me that he would do anything for me. I replied, 'I have 500 kg to 600 kg extra luggage.' He offered me a 50% discount. I told him, 'I will bring four more people, as it will get cheaper. I asked him to give it for free or leave it'," Naik said.

He said he expected the extra charge to be cleared as it is a common treatment he receives in India.

The Islamic preacher expressed disappointment after he was given a 50 percent discount for 500-600 kg of extra baggage despite being a state guest of Pakistan.

"I rejected the offer. Any non-Muslim, when they see me, lets me off for free in India. This is India; they waive 1,000kg to 2,000kg when they see Dr Zakir Naik. This is Pakistan. I am a guest of the government, and 'state guest' is written on my visa. Yet, your CEO is offering me a 50% discount," he told the newspaper.

He is currently on a month-long visit to Pakistan.

Indian 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.

"It is something which is disappointing, let me say, condemnable; but at the same time, as I said, it's not surprising," he said during a press briefing.

Indian religious preacher Zakir Naik, who faces charges of money laundering and hate speech in India, arrived in Pakistan on Monday for a month-long visit.

Naik, who currently resides in Malaysia, previously visited Pakistan in 1992.