The National Cybercrime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) has summoned three Norwegian nationals to appear before an investigating committee in Lahore in connection with a defamation-related inquiry, according to official notices.
The notices direct three individuals -- right-wing Norway tabloid Verdens Gang (VG) reporter Rolf J Wideroe, prosecutor Carl Graff Hartmann and VG’s editor -- to appear in person before investigators on May 13 at 12pm at the Cybercrime Reporting Center in Lahore to record their statements and present their version of events.
The notification states: “You are directed to appear in person before the undersigned to record your version.” It further warns that in case of non-appearance, “it will be assumed that you have nothing to present or state in your defence.”
The notices were issued and signed by Sub-Inspector Nabil Hussain of the Cybercrime Reporting Center Lahore.
The NCCIA has taken action after businessman and Pakistan’s Ambassador at Large on Economic Diplomacy Umar Farooq Zahoor filed a criminal complaint in a Lahore court after the Norwegian tabloid ran a defamatory campaign against him in association with Indian media about his recent meeting with US Vice President JD Vance in Islamabad.
The complaint, filed under Section 500 of the Pakistan Penal Code, had named right-wing Norway tabloid Verdens Gang (VG), its reporter Rolf J. Wideroe, and prosecutor Carl Graff Hartmann for repeatedly attacking the Dubai-based Pakistani-origin businessman, who has been twice honored with the Hilal-e-Imtiaz by the Pakistan government.
Zahoor’s lawyers have alleged that the publication falsely described him as “wanted by Norwegian police” in the article that was published following Zahoor’s high-profile diplomatic engagement in Islamabad, which showed him meeting with the American delegation: Vice President JD Vance, Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner.
Zahoor alleges that VG has conducted a "malicious and one-sided campaign" against him for over 15 years, publishing defamatory material without seeking his response and repeating claims despite legal clarifications and despite the fact that Interpol ended cases against him due to the political nature of the cases and the police and the courts ended cases against him years ago.
The complaint says the VG targeted him in alliance with Indian media and damaged his reputation because he enjoys respect in the diplomatic community globally, has been awarded different honours for his work, has provided energy solutions to different African countries, and closed transactions of billions of dollars in the last decade in different countries; he is a known figure in the UAE and has the privilege of advising the Royal family in financial discipline.
Two weeks ago, the Sindh government pressed the Ministry of Interior to issue a red warrant against Norwegian journalist Wideroe in connection with a criminal case registered in Shaheed Benazirabad involving corruption amounting to around Rs10 million. According to the document, Wideroe is wanted in an FIR registered at A-Section Police Station in Nawabshah, under sections 420, 406 and 506/2 of the Pakistan Penal Code, along with provisions of the Telegraph Act.
Wideroe has been a proclaimed offender in Pakistan since 2015. A criminal case was registered against him for depriving a Pakistani citizen, Maqsood Ali, of Rs10 million by making a false promise of getting him a Norwegian passport during his visit to Nawabshah.
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