Pakistani businessman wins defamation suit against Norway’s Verdens Gang

A Pakistani court has ruled in favour of Dubai-based Pakistani-origin businessman Umar Farooq Zahoor in a high-profile defamation case against Norway’s far-right tabloid Verdens Gang (VG) and its reporter Rolf John Widerøe.

The court ordered both defendants to pay Rs30 million in damages and legal costs to Zahoor.

The verdict, delivered by Judge Abid Zubair of the Additional District and Sessions Court in Ferozwala, came in response to a long-standing legal battle initiated by Zahoor, who accused VG and its reporter of falsely maligning him.

The judge noted that evidence clearly established the defendants’ deliberate attempt to defame Zahoor by publishing false allegations that tarnished his reputation and subjected him to public ridicule.

The ruling was issued ex-parte, as both the VG chief editor and Rolf John Widerøe repeatedly refused to engage with the court, despite multiple summons and legal notices sent to their addresses in Norway. Late last year, the court declared both as proclaimed offenders for their continued non-compliance.

Judge Zubair’s judgment described Umar Farooq Zahoor as a respected figure in business and diplomatic circles, highlighting his philanthropic efforts, international business dealings amounting to nearly $5 billion, and advisory roles, including to royal families and African nations. The court recognised that the defamatory campaign was driven by malice, with the defendants allegedly targeting Zahoor based on his religion and ethnicity.

“The defendants, in collusion with each other, have been running a malicious campaign against the plaintiff for his religion and race. It is beyond doubt that the defendants continuously raised false allegations without any proof,” the judgment read. It further criticised the VG tabloid for one-sided reporting and failing to adhere to journalistic ethics.