Norwegian prosecutors have closed a long-running criminal case involving Norwegian-Pakistani businessman Umar Farooq Zahoor, concluding that the available evidence was insufficient to pursue prosecution, according to legal documents relating to the case.
The decision brings to an end an investigation that began in 2010 and had remained unresolved for more than 15 years. The prosecuting authority cited the “state of the evidence” in dismissing the case and directed Norwegian law-enforcement agencies to take steps to withdraw any outstanding wanted-person alerts or notices linked to the investigation.
The case concerned allegations arising from a multi-million-kroner fraud involving Nordea Bank in Norway in 2010. Zahoor had been accused of being among those involved in the alleged fraud, allegations he consistently denied.
According to documents relating to the proceedings, Oslo Police had earlier concluded that there was insufficient evidence to prosecute Zahoor and recommended closure of the case in 2012. The matter, however, remained open at the prosecutorial level and was the subject of further legal proceedings over subsequent years.
The latest decision follows Zahoor’s complaint against a Norwegian prosecutor, Carl Graff Hartmann, whom he accused of defamation and improper conduct in connection with media coverage of the case. Those allegations remain Zahoor’s claims and are separate from the decision to close the underlying criminal investigation.
The case also had legal consequences in Pakistan.
In May 2023, a judicial magistrate in Lahore cleared Zahoor in two cases involving allegations of fraud and money laundering that had been registered in Pakistan in 2020. Judicial Magistrate Ghulam Murtaza Virk relied on material that included a clearance letter from Oslo Police and an investigation report prepared by Pakistan’s Federal Investigation Agency.
The FIA told the court that its investigation had not established evidence linking Zahoor to fraud, money laundering or corruption. The Oslo Police material submitted in the proceedings similarly stated that Norwegian investigators did not have sufficient evidence to prosecute him.
The Pakistani cases had followed complaints by Zahoor’s former wife, Sophia Mirza, after the breakdown of their marriage. The complaints included allegations relating to the Norwegian bank fraud case as well as a separate alleged fraud in Bern, Switzerland, dating to 2004. Zahoor denied the allegations.
Norwegian authorities had also sought Zahoor’s extradition in connection with the case. According to material cited in the proceedings, the United Arab Emirates did not extradite him. Zahoor maintained throughout that the case against him lacked evidence and argued that he had not visited Norway since 2005.
The latest prosecutorial decision directs the relevant authorities to remove any remaining alerts or notices generated as a result of the investigation, including those that may have circulated internationally.
In a statement issued through his Norwegian lawyer, Zahoor welcomed the decision and said the prolonged proceedings had affected both his professional and personal life.
“For nearly 16 years, this case has followed my name around the world. It has followed me to banks, authorities, business partners and international meetings,” he said.
He said he had maintained throughout that the allegations could not be substantiated and described the latest decision as confirmation that the evidence was insufficient to continue the case.
Zahoor has separately alleged that sections of the Norwegian media, particularly the tabloid Verdens Gang (VG), pursued an unfair campaign against him and relied on information provided by individuals within the prosecution service. Those allegations form part of separate legal proceedings and have not been adjudicated in the material reviewed for this report.
He has also cited a Norwegian police certificate issued in March 2026 stating that he had no criminal record in Norway.
Zahoor has in recent years maintained a higher public profile in Pakistan, particularly in relation to investment and economic diplomacy. He has received Pakistani state honours and was appointed Ambassador-at-Large for Economic Diplomacy.
He has also appeared at official events involving foreign delegations. Most recently, he was seen at Nur Khan Airbase during the reception of a United States delegation visiting Pakistan as part of diplomatic efforts related to regional tensions involving Iran.
The Norwegian decision closes the criminal investigation against Zahoor on evidentiary grounds. It does not amount to a judicial finding on every allegation made during the course of the dispute, but it means prosecutors have concluded that the available evidence does not justify continuing the case or bringing charges.