During his visit to Pakistan, Dr. Zakir Naik criticized PIA’s handling of a luggage issue, sparking reactions on social media.
Renowned Islamic scholar and preacher, Dr. Zakir Naik, who is visiting Pakistan at the government’s invitation, criticized the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Pakistan International Airlines (PIA).
Dr. Zakir Naik arrived in Karachi a few days ago for a 10-day visit, where a grand event was held in his honor at the Governor House. Additionally, two public lectures were organized for him, during which he provided religious guidance on various topics and answered participants’ questions.
During one of these lectures, Dr. Zakir Naik shared an incident involving him and strongly criticized the national airline’s officer.
He explained that when he was traveling from Malaysia to Pakistan, the luggage of the people accompanying him weighed around 1,000 kg, upon which he contacted the CEO of PIA.
Zakir Naik stated that when he reached out to the PIA Country Manager regarding this issue, the manager said, “Doctor Sahib, I will do anything for you.” Dr. Naik told him, “There are six people, and the luggage exceeds the limit by 500-600 kg.”
According to Dr. Zakir Naik, the officer said, “Don’t worry, I will give you a 50% discount on the extra luggage charges,” to which Dr. Naik responded, “If you’re going to waive it, then make it free; otherwise, don’t offer it,” and rejected the offer.
Dr. Zakir Naik expressed his disappointment, saying, “This is the attitude of Pakistan’s airline. If any non-Muslim in India sees me, they will waive the excess luggage for free; that’s India.”
He added, “In India, if a non-Muslim sees Dr. Zakir Naik, they waive off luggage between 1,000 to 2,000 kg.”
He further stated, “And this is Pakistan. I am a guest of the government, my visa states ‘State Guest,’ and your PIA CEO says he will give a 50% discount while charging 110 Ringgit (7,135 Pakistani Rupees) per additional kilo.”
He remarked, “I was deeply hurt that as a state guest coming to Pakistan, they couldn’t waive off 300 kg of luggage and instead offered a 50% discount. I don’t need such a discount.”
After the video of this incident went viral, social media users began reacting, with many criticizing him for his remarks.