Sindh govt seeks red notice for Norwegian journalist in fraud case

KARACHI – The Sindh Home Department has formally requested the federal Interior Ministry to expedite the issuance of a Red Notice for Rolf John Widerøe, a Norwegian journalist affiliated with the right-wing tabloid Verdens Gang (VG).

Widerøe is accused of defrauding a Pakistani national of Rs10 million with false promises of Norwegian citizenship. The ongoing investigation into this case has faced significant delays due to Widerøe’s lack of cooperation with Pakistani authorities. The Sindh Police have appealed for assistance from the Nordic Police Liaison Officer at the Norwegian Embassy to advance the case and facilitate Widerøe’s extradition to Pakistan.

Widerøe, known for his controversial right-wing views, is alleged to have defrauded Maqsood Ali, a resident of Nawabshah, by promising to secure Norwegian immigration documents. According to police records, Ali reported the fraud on January 14, 2016, at the Dhamrah Road Police Station in Nawabshah.

However, Widerøe had already left Pakistan by that time. The Sindh Police have confirmed that Widerøe was operating on a journalist visa when he committed the fraud. Ali’s complaint, lodged with the Dhamrah Road Police Station, details how Widerøe received Rs10 million from him under the pretense of arranging Norwegian residency but subsequently failed to deliver.

Widerøe is also accused of threatening Ali with death after fleeing the country, leading to the issuance of Non-Bailable Arrest Warrants by Nawabshah’s court. Civil Judge Roshan Ali Bhugio issued a Non-Bailable Warrant of Arrest against Widerøe on February 27, 2016, but reports indicate that Widerøe has been evading arrest and remains in Norway. The Sindh Police have now sought the Home Department’s assistance in executing the warrant and requesting a Red Notice through the Ministry of Interior in Islamabad.

In addition to the fraud allegations, Widerøe is facing a defamation lawsuit from a prominent Pakistani businessman. The lawsuit accuses him of concealing significant facts about a former Norwegian judge, Arild Nesdal, who was convicted of child pornography offences.

The businessman alleges that Widerøe and Verdens Gang intentionally omitted critical details about Nesdal’s criminal background in their reporting to protect the convicted judge. Nesdal had been adjudicating cases related to child abuse while secretly engaging in such offences himself.