A Pakistani court has ruled that the Chief Editor of Norway’s far-right publication Verdens Gang (VG) and its journalist Rolf John Widerøe maliciously defamed Dubai-based Pakistani businessman Umar Farooq Zahoor. The Additional District and Sessions Court in Ferozwala found both individuals guilty of orchestrating a defamatory media campaign targeting Zahoor, and ordered them to pay Rs. 30 million in damages, including legal costs.
Judge Abid Zubair, presiding over the case, declared that the VG journalist and editor deliberately spread false statements about Zahoor via electronic media, tarnishing his reputation and subjecting him to public ridicule. The judgment made clear that the defamatory content was intended to lower Zahoor’s standing in both business and social circles, and had done significant reputational harm.
Ruling Delivered in Absence of Defendants Declared Proclaimed Offenders
The court’s decision came in an ex-parte judgment after the VG editor and Rolf John Widerøe repeatedly failed to respond to court summons or participate in legal proceedings. Despite numerous reminders, the defendants did not engage with the case, prompting the court to declare them proclaimed offenders late last year.
Judge Abid Zubair noted that the tabloid’s campaign against Zahoor was not only defamatory but carried Islamophobic and racist undertones. The judgment stated that VG and its reporters engaged in a prolonged smear campaign against Zahoor, using his background and religion as points of attack. It further condemned the tabloid’s journalistic practices as biased, one-sided, and lacking adherence to standards of fair reporting.
Court Recognizes Zahoor’s Global Business Credentials and Diplomatic Contributions
In his verdict, the judge acknowledged Zahoor’s stellar reputation across business, diplomatic, and philanthropic sectors. The court noted that Zahoor has played a key role in international business transactions, particularly in Africa, where he has helped facilitate deals worth nearly $5 billion over the past decade.
Zahoor has also served as an Ambassador-at-Large for several NGOs and has been a trusted advisor to royal families on financial matters. His contributions to development and energy solutions were highlighted as examples of his positive global impact, making the damage to his reputation even more significant.
Tabloid Accused of Concealing Facts and Fueling a Personal Vendetta
Zahoor initiated legal action against VG for publishing what he described as a malicious and factually distorted article. His legal team asserted that VG had concealed crucial information to mislead readers and paint Zahoor in a negative light. The lawsuit rejected the tabloid’s accusations of Zahoor’s involvement in the Nordea Bank Norway fraud case, citing that he had not visited Norway since 2005 — five years prior to the alleged incident.
According to court documents, Zahoor was briefly investigated in 2011 due to his association with individuals based in the UAE. However, the investigation was dropped in 2013 due to a lack of evidence. Notably, this key development was never reported by the tabloid, nor was the fact that a judge’s remarks against Zahoor in the trial were later overturned by an appellate court.
Norwegian Investigation Reopened but Found No Grounds for Extradition
The lawsuit further elaborated that Norwegian authorities reopened the Nordea Bank case in 2015 and secured a Red Warrant through INTERPOL against Zahoor. However, the UAE refused to extradite him due to insufficient evidence. The court highlighted this as a critical omission by VG in its reporting, suggesting the narrative was manipulated to serve an agenda.
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One of the most damning revelations in Zahoor’s lawsuit involved the judge whose statements were cited by VG in their reporting. The judge, Arild Nesdal, was later convicted of possessing and downloading child sexual abuse material. The lawsuit accused VG of deliberately hiding this information from readers, despite knowing its relevance in discrediting the judge’s credibility.
Accusations of Political Collusion and Malicious Motives in Pakistan
Zahoor’s legal team also pointed to political interference in Pakistan, alleging that Shehzad Akbar, former Accountability Advisor to Prime Minister Imran Khan, revived the fraud case in coordination with Zahoor’s ex-wife Khushbakht Mirza. However, subsequent inquiries declared the reopened cases as baseless and politically motivated.
In another retaliatory move, VG lodged a criminal complaint against Zahoor in Norway, accusing him of issuing threats. This case, too, was dismissed by Oslo Police in March 2023 after concluding that Zahoor, who was not in Norway, could not have issued threats as alleged.
Widerøe Declared a Proclaimed Offender in Separate Criminal Case
Beyond the defamation issue, Rolf John Widerøe faces additional legal troubles in Pakistan. A criminal case filed in 2015 accuses him of defrauding a Pakistani citizen, Maqsood Ali, of Rs. 10 million by promising to procure a Norwegian passport. After receiving the money, Widerøe allegedly threatened the victim and fled Pakistan. Non-bailable arrest warrants were issued, and a request for a Red Warrant was also made.
The defamation case concluded that VG continues to publish stories penned by a known absconder, thereby raising ethical questions about its editorial integrity. The judgment reinforced that the tabloid’s portrayal of Zahoor has been part of a broader agenda — one marked by misinformation, racial and religious prejudice, and deliberate suppression of critical facts.
The article has been received directly from the reporter.