LAHORE/LONDON: Pakistan’s National Cybercrime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) has summoned three Norwegian nationals to appear before an investigating committee in Lahore in connection with a defamation-related inquiry, according to official notices.
Image: Geo News
The notices, issued under inquiry number ENQ-CCRC-Lahore-1878/26, direct three individuals – Widerøe, prosecutor Carl Graff Hartmann, and the newspaper’s editor to appear in person on May 13 at 12pm at the Cybercrime Reporting Centre in Gulberg II, Lahore.
They have been asked to record their statements and present their version of events. The notice warns that failure to appear may be treated as non-cooperation, stating that it will be assumed they have “nothing to present or state in their defence.”
The summons were issued and signed by Sub-Inspector Nabil Hussain of the Cybercrime Reporting Centre, Lahore.
According to officials, the action follows a complaint filed by businessman and Pakistan’s Ambassador at Large for Economic Diplomacy, Umar Farooq Zahoor, who approached a Lahore court alleging defamation.
The complaint relates to a report published by Norwegian tabloid VG, which allegedly included claims about Zahoor following his reported diplomatic engagement in Islamabad involving meetings with international figures, including US officials.
Zahoor’s legal team has alleged that the publication falsely portrayed him as being “wanted by Norwegian police” in connection with coverage of his meeting during discussions linked to Iran-US peace dialogue facilitated by Pakistan.
The case has been filed under Section 500 of the Pakistan Penal Code, and further proceedings are expected to continue as the inquiry progresses.
