By Safina Khan | Voice of Asia News UK
Norwegian authorities have reportedly brought a 16 year old fraud investigation involving Pakistani businessman Umar Farooq Zahoor to an end, with prosecutors acknowledging that there was insufficient evidence to establish any wrongdoing.
The decision brings to a close a case that had remained in the headlines for years. Prosecutors have reportedly instructed authorities to withdraw outstanding warrants against Zahoor and remove his name from the wanted persons’ list.
The case dates back to allegations surrounding an alleged multi-million kroner fraud involving Nordea Bank in 2010. Zahoor has consistently denied the allegations, maintaining that he had not travelled to Norway after 2005 and therefore could not have been involved in a fraud allegedly committed in 2010.
Norway had previously sought Zahoor’s extradition from the United Arab Emirates. However, the UAE authorities reportedly rejected the request, citing insufficient evidence.
According to court documents, Zahoor cooperated through his lawyers after investigations into the case began in 2010. Following legal proceedings initiated by Zahoor against senior Norwegian prosecutor Carl Graf Hartmann, the authorities conducted a fresh review of the case.
The chief prosecutor reportedly decided to close the case within a week of receiving the file.
Zahoor had also accused the senior prosecutor of targeting him with false allegations in collaboration with a right-wing newspaper. He subsequently initiated a defamation case against Hartmann.
In a statement, Zahoor said it had taken 16 years for his position to be recognised, adding that he had always maintained that he was being targeted by certain elements within the system.
He also thanked the prosecutor for reviewing the facts and bringing the proceedings to an end.
Zahoor further alleged that the Norwegian newspaper VG, which he described as a right-wing publication, had conducted what he called a racist, anti-Islam and biased campaign against him for more than 16 years, allegedly in collaboration with Indian elements.
Separately, according to the information provided, Zahoor was cleared in May 2023 in two fraud cases and one money-laundering case following a clearance letter from Oslo Police and an FIA report. Those cases had reportedly been registered in Pakistan in 2020 following complaints by his former wife, actress Sofia Mirza, during the PTI government.
The latest development in Norway now marks another significant legal chapter in Zahoor’s long-running disputes.
Zahoor has also attracted public attention in Pakistan for his appearances at high profile events. He was recently seen among those welcoming a US delegation that travelled to Pakistan as part of diplomatic efforts related to the US/Iran conflict.
