Businessman and Pakistan’s Ambassador-at-Large for Economic Diplomacy, Umar Farooq Zahoor, has filed a criminal defamation complaint in a Lahore court against a Norwegian tabloid, alleging a sustained and coordinated campaign to malign him following his recent diplomatic engagement in Islamabad.
The complaint, filed under Section 500 of the Pakistan Penal Code, names Verdens Gang (VG), its reporter Rolf J. Wideroe, and prosecutor Carl Graff Hartmann. Zahoor alleges that the publication falsely portrayed him as “wanted by Norwegian police” after he was seen meeting a visiting U.S. delegation, including Vice President JD Vance, in Islamabad during discussions linked to the Iran–U.S. peace process facilitated by Pakistan.
According to the filing, Zahoor contends that VG has run a “malicious and one-sided campaign” against him for over 15 years, repeatedly publishing defamatory claims without seeking his response and despite legal clarifications. He states that previous cases against him were closed due to their political nature, with both courts and investigative authorities clearing him of wrongdoing.
The complaint further notes that Zahoor had earlier won a defamation case in Pakistan against the same publication, with a Lahore court awarding Rs3 million in damages in March 2025 after VG failed to retract earlier reports.
Zahoor’s legal team argues that the latest article revives “long-settled allegations” and selectively omits exculpatory findings, including the closure of investigations in Norway, the UAE, and Pakistan. A certificate issued by the Norwegian police in March 2026, cited in the complaint, states that Zahoor has no criminal record in Norway.
The filing also alleges that the tabloid’s reporting was amplified by segments of Indian media, contributing to reputational damage at a time when Zahoor was engaged in diplomatic activity linked to Pakistan’s mediation efforts. His lawyers argue that the campaign aims not only to harm his personal reputation but also to undermine Pakistan’s international standing.
Zahoor maintains that the reporting is driven by bias, personal vendetta, and selective use of information, and has urged the court to take action against what he describes as a sustained attempt to damage his reputation and professional standing.