Islamic scholar Dr Zakir Naik has apologised for his comments regarding the Pakistan International Airlines (PIA).

At an event, Naik shared that Sindh Governor Kamran Tessori urged him to “forget about the incident involving PIA,” prompting him to reflect on whether he had indeed made any comments on the matter. The governor subsequently reminded him of the incident.

He acknowledged the tension surrounding his comments on social media and began to question whether what he said was right or wrong. But he emphasised that “his intentions were rooted in truth,” stating that he does not wish to foster any animosity between Indian and Pakistani brothers, akin to the divisions created by the British before partition.

Dr Naik further expressed that he “promotes peace” and if his words caused discomfort to his Pakistani brothers, he “sincerely apologises.” He added the ultimate goal was to attain a “passport to paradise,” rather than a worldly passport.

The Islamic preacher is on a Pakistan visit where he recently criticised the PIA CEO and the country.

“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 had 500kg to 600kg extra luggage. He offered me a 50% discount. I told him that I would bring four more people as it would get cheaper. I asked him to give free or leave it,” the Islamic preacher said while responding to a person’s query related to giving bribes at the Governor House in Karachi.

The person said that he had to give a bribe even for legal work as it was difficult to get the job done.

Dr Naik criticized the airline for offering him only a 50% discount on excess baggage fees. “Any non-Muslim in India would allow me to travel with an excess of 1,000 to 2,000 kilograms for free,” he stated. He pointed out that the PIA was charging 110 Malaysian Ringgit per kilogram, stating he was “hurt” that the airline could not accommodate his luggage needs as a state guest.

The Islamic preacher emphasised that he did not require special treatment but expected basic hospitality. “I am saddened to speak the truth, but this reflects the state of Pakistan,” he said. He further asserted that a Hindu believes in speaking the truth and noted that while he disagrees with Indian Prime Minister Modi, he does not hold India itself responsible.

He continued to compare the hospitality he receives in India to his experiences in Pakistan, lamenting the lack of support from the airline for his luggage.

Dr Zakir Naik arrived in Pakistan on September 30 for a month-long tour that will include lectures in major cities such as Karachi, Islamabad, and Lahore.

This marks Naik’s first visit to Pakistan in thirty years; his last trip was in 1992 when he met with renowned scholar Dr Israr Ahmed in Lahore before returning to India.

Originally from India, Naik currently resides in Malaysia due to legal issues in his home country, which has sought his extradition in several cases.