Dubai-based business tycoon Umar Farooq Zahoor has filed a defamation lawsuit against the Norwegian right-wing tabloid, Verdens Gang (VG), and its reporter, Rolf John Widerøe, for publishing a defamatory and vindictive article. Zahoor alleges that the publication deliberately lied and concealed facts to damage his reputation and his services to Pakistan, which include bringing millions of dollars in direct foreign investment to the country.
Claims Against the Publication
The defamation letter sent to the tabloid’s editorial board details numerous allegations against Verdens Gang and Widerøe. According to Zahoor, the article falsely claims that Pakistan’s former President Asif Ali Zardari approved the award of Hilal-e-Imtiaz — the second-highest civilian honor in Pakistan — to Zahoor due to his alleged involvement in the high-profile Toshakhana case, implicating former Prime Minister Imran Khan in the misappropriation of state gifts. Zahoor’s legal team argues that this representation is not only misleading but also fueled by malicious intent.
Zahoor’s lawyers, in their letter, state: “The name of our client Umar Farooq Zahoor has been approved for the conferment of the civil award, Hilal-e-Imtiaz, by the President of Pakistan in acknowledgment of his efforts and meritorious services in bringing hundreds of millions of dollars into the country as direct foreign investment. The nomination of our client for this award followed thorough deliberation, recommendations, and approval by the President of Pakistan in accordance with the provisions of law.”
Allegations of Racism and Islamophobia
The legal notice accuses the Norwegian tabloid of conducting a long-standing smear campaign against Zahoor, asserting that this campaign has been ongoing for at least fifteen years. Zahoor’s legal team states that the article in question is not an isolated incident but rather part of a systematic and sustained effort to damage Zahoor’s credibility. “The article is a continuation of a series of publications by your newspaper targeting our client with an underlying motive of racism, Islamophobia, and a personal vendetta,” reads the letter.
The letter claims that Widerøe and the publication have harbored personal animosity towards Zahoor for over a decade. Zahoor’s lawyers highlight that this campaign is not just limited to the most recent article but has roots in several previous articles, reports, and even opinion pieces published by Verdens Gang. “It is clear from the pattern of your publications that your vendetta against our client is personal,” the letter states.
Equatorial Guinea Case and False Allegations
The lawsuit letter goes on to accuse Verdens Gang of falsely connecting Zahoor’s achievements to alleged corruption in Equatorial Guinea. “In your article, you mentioned the Medal of Honor awarded to our client by the President of Equatorial Guinea for opening a power plant in August 2023. At the same time, you leveled corruption allegations against the President. This reflects a malicious effort to defame our client,” it reads.
The letter also points fingers at state attorney Carl Graff Hartmann, accusing him of supporting the defamatory campaign by making public statements against Zahoor whenever defamatory material is published. Zahoor’s lawyers argue that the tabloid’s portrayal was designed to mislead readers by associating Zahoor with corruption cases without any substantial evidence to back such claims.
Nordea Bank Norway Case
Verdens Gang also cited the Nordea Bank Norway case, where Zahoor was accused of fraud. Zahoor’s legal team vehemently denies these allegations, stating that Zahoor had moved to Dubai in 2005, well before the alleged fraud, which occurred in 2010. “Law enforcement agencies in Norway initially started the investigation in 2011. Those involved were prosecuted, with some being punished and others acquitted,” the letter clarifies.
The letter continues: “Our client was included in the investigation merely due to his connections in the UAE with persons allegedly involved in the fraud. The judge’s passing remarks, which implicated our client, were without evidence and were later overturned by the Appellate Court. The investigation against our client was closed in 2013 due to a lack of evidence. Your tabloid never reported the closure of the investigation or the overturning of the judge’s remarks.”
INTERPOL Red Notice and Its Removal
The lawsuit details how Norwegian authorities reopened the investigation in 2015 and issued a Red Notice against Zahoor through INTERPOL. However, the authorities in the UAE refused to extradite Zahoor, citing a lack of concrete evidence. INTERPOL’s Commission for the Control of INTERPOL’s Files reviewed Zahoor’s case in its 110th session, held from September 30 to October 4, 2019. After careful consideration, INTERPOL ordered the deletion of the Red Notice, which was subsequently acknowledged by the Norwegian authorities. The notice is still in force, vindicating Zahoor’s position.
The lawsuit further explains that Zahoor voluntarily joined the investigation, which was eventually closed. “This has been verified by the Norway Police via a letter dated 20th May 2020. The Oslo Police Department also sent a proposal for closure of the case to the Public Prosecutor’s Office on 20th December 2021,” it states. Zahoor’s legal team argues that this closure proves the baselessness of the allegations made by the Norwegian tabloid.
Involvement of Judge Convicted for Child Pornography
Another shocking revelation in the lawsuit is that the tabloid deliberately concealed the fact that Arild Nesdal, the judge who had made passing remarks against Zahoor, was later convicted for child pornography offenses. “The tabloid’s reporter, Mr. Rolf J. Widerøe, was aware of this grave offense but chose to conceal it while covering the Nordea Bank case,” the lawsuit asserts. Zahoor’s lawyers insist that this omission is further proof of the tabloid’s bias and intention to damage Zahoor’s reputation.
The lawsuit claims that Shehzad Akbar, a former advisor to Imran Khan, and Zahoor’s ex-wife, Khushbakht Mirza, reopened a case in Pakistan based on the same allegations. “The case was registered against our client without following due process. A Joint Investigation Team (JIT) was formed, and after a thorough investigation, the FIR was canceled,” the lawsuit explains. It further adds: “These facts prove that the fraud allegations against our client are baseless and motivated by ill intentions.”
Criminal Case Against the Norwegian Tabloid
The lawsuit reveals that Verdens Gang filed a criminal case against Zahoor, alleging that he had threatened the publication. However, this case was dismissed by the Oslo Police in March 2023. Zahoor’s legal team describes these allegations as ludicrous, arguing: “It is beyond imagination how our client could threaten your tabloid while not being in Norway.” The lawyers also assert that these actions are further proof of the tabloid’s determination to malign Zahoor’s reputation at any cost.
The lawsuit also alleges that Rolf John Widerøe has been a proclaimed offender in Pakistan since 2015. “A criminal case was registered against him for defrauding a Pakistani citizen of ten million rupees. He fled Pakistan and is wanted by law enforcement agencies,” it states. Zahoor’s lawyers use this fact to question the credibility of the reporter and, by extension, the publication he represents.
Misrepresentation of the Ghana Gas Turbine Case
Verdens Gang is also accused of falsely reporting on Ghana’s gas turbine deal, omitting that it had been audited and deemed beneficial by independent authorities like PricewaterhouseCoopers (PWC). The lawsuit argues that this selective reporting further illustrates the tabloid’s bias. “Your tabloid only publishes limited information to malign our client,” the letter states, pointing out that a complete and unbiased report would have shown the merits of the deal and Zahoor’s contributions to it.
The lawsuit demands the tabloid “immediately withdraw your article and publish an official apology.” The legal team warns: “Failure to do so will result in criminal and civil action against your tabloid and reporter.” Zahoor’s lawyers emphasize that the defamatory article has caused considerable damage to his reputation, business interests, and personal life, and they are prepared to pursue all legal avenues to seek redress.
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Zahoor’s Business Reputation and Investments
The lawsuit concludes by outlining Zahoor’s “impeccable reputation in business, social, and philanthropic circles.” It details his numerous advisory roles and highlights that he has successfully closed transactions worth nearly five billion US dollars over the past decade. Zahoor is described as an influential businessman who has consistently contributed to Pakistan’s economic development, particularly through foreign investment. His contributions were recognized when he was among the 104 individuals honored with Pakistan’s esteemed civil awards.
Zahoor’s legal team reiterates that any further attempts to defame or malign him will be met with swift legal action. The letter concludes by advising the tabloid to refrain from further defamatory publications and to adhere to journalistic ethics and standards. “The world is watching, and any continued efforts to harm our client’s reputation will not go unnoticed or unanswered,” the letter warns.
This article was received directly from the reporter.