Pakistan’s Ambassador-at-Large for Economic Diplomacy, Umar Farooq Zahoor, has filed a criminal complaint in a Lahore court. The case targets a Norwegian tabloid over alleged defamatory reporting. The complaint marks a new legal step in a long-running dispute.
According to court documents, the complaint has been filed under Section 500 of the Pakistan Penal Code. It names the publication Verdens Gang (VG), along with journalist Rolf J. Wideroe and Norwegian prosecutor Carl Graff Hartmann. The case accuses them of publishing false and damaging claims.
The issue relates to a report published after Zahoor’s recent meeting in Islamabad. The meeting included members of a visiting United States delegation. The report allegedly described Zahoor as being wanted by Norwegian police. He has strongly denied this claim.
Zahoor stated that the publication has been running a one-sided campaign against him for years. He claimed that the reports were published without verifying facts or seeking his response. According to him, investigations in Norway, the UAE, and Pakistan had already cleared him of wrongdoing.
His legal team also pointed to past court decisions in Pakistan. A Lahore court had earlier ruled in Zahoor’s favor in a similar defamation case. In March 2025, the court awarded Rs3 million in damages after the publication failed to retract earlier reports.
The current complaint argues that the latest report repeats old allegations. It claims that key facts were ignored. Zahoor’s counsel noted that he has not visited Norway since 2005. The incident mentioned in the report reportedly dates back to 2010.
The complaint further states that the publication has caused reputational harm. It highlights that Zahoor was involved in diplomatic efforts linked to Pakistan’s regional role at the time. The timing of the report, according to the complaint, has affected his professional standing.
Supporting documents have also been submitted to the court. These include a certificate issued by the Norwegian Finnmark Police District. The document confirms that Zahoor has no criminal record in Norway as of March 2026.
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The complainant has requested the court to initiate legal proceedings against those named. The case is expected to move forward as the court reviews the evidence. The outcome may have implications for international media reporting and defamation law involving Pakistan.
