Pakistan demarches Norwegian ambassador over Imaan Mazari court hearing

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has issued a strong demarche to the Norwegian ambassador for attending a Supreme Court hearing in the case of human rights activist and lawyer Imaan Mazari and her husband Hadi Ali, describing the act as deliberate interference in Pakistan’s internal affairs.

In an official demarche issued in December 2025, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that the ambassador’s presence on November 11, 2025 at the Supreme Court hearing is a “flagrant violation of the 1961 Vienna Convention”, which obliges diplomats under Article 41 to respect the laws of the host country and refrain from interfering in its internal matters.

The ministry noted that this was not an isolated incident, citing a “pattern of activity by the Norwegian side”, where certain NGOs allegedly support elements hostile to Pakistan.

“Court cases involving individuals accused of anti-state activities are highly sensitive internal matters. We cannot tolerate any association by the diplomatic corps with anti-state elements,” the demarche said.

The ministry emphasized that just as Pakistan respects Norway’s sovereignty, it expects Norway to respect Pakistan’s sovereignty and “adhere to the norms of diplomatic engagement and protocol”.

According to the Foreign Office, the ambassador’s interference undermines Pakistan’s judicial process and violates international diplomatic principles. The ministry stressed that Pakistan reserves the “right to take all necessary measures to protect its sovereignty” and will not tolerate any external meddling in its internal affairs.

The statement concluded that Pakistan, as a “free, sovereign, and law-abiding state”, fully safeguards its judicial process and national autonomy in line with international diplomatic standards.