Staff Reporter
LAHORE: Pakistan’s National Cybercrime Investigation Agency (NCIA) 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, issued under inquiry number ENQ-CCRC-Lahore-1878/26, directs 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 Gulberg II, 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 NCIA 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 VG ran a defamatory campaign against him in association with Indian media about his recent meeting with US Vice President JD Vance in Islamabad related to Iran-US peace dialogue facilitated by Pakistan.
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 Duba-based Pakistani-origin businessman who has been twice honored with the Hilal-e-Imtiaz by the Government of Pakistan.
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 Zahoor meeting with the American delegation: Vice Preside JD Vance, Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner. Zahoor wad filmed with the high-profile President Trump-appointed delegation when they were being seen off at Nur Khan Airbase by the Pakistani civilian and military leadership.
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 diplomatic community globally; awarded different honors for his work, has provided energy solutions to different African countries, closed transactions of billions of dollars in last one decade in different countries; a known figure in UAE and has a privilege of advising Royal family in financial discipline; he is the only Pakistani so far who has been twice honored with the Hilal-e-Imtiaz in less than 6 months by Pakistan recognising his pivotal role in attracting direct foreign investment of hundreds of millions of dollars to the country and his distinguished service during the Indo-Pakistan war.
Two weeks ago, the Sindh government pressed Ministry of Interior to issue a red warrant against Norwegian journalist Rolf J. Wideroe in connection with a criminal case registered in Shaheed Benazirabad involving corruption amounting to around Rs10 million. According to the document, Rolf J. Wideroe is wanted in FIR No. 225/2015 registered at Police Station A-Section Nawabshah, under sections 420, 406, 506/2 of the Pakistan Penal Code, along with provisions of the Telegraph Act.
Rolf J. Wideroe has been a proclaimed offender in Pakistan since 2015. A criminal case bearing No. 222/2015 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, Pakistan.
