Pakistan Issues Formal Demarche to Norway Over ‘Interference’ in Judicial Affairs

**Islamabad:** Pakistan has issued a formal **demarche** to the Norwegian ambassador, expressing strong protest over what it considers interference in the country’s internal judicial matters.

The move comes after Norway’s ambassador attended a hearing at the **Supreme Court of Pakistan**, where the case of human rights activist and lawyer **Imran Mazari** and her husband **Advocate Hadi Chatha** was being heard. The envoy’s presence sparked widespread debate within diplomatic circles, raising questions about why a foreign ambassador would observe proceedings of Pakistan’s apex court.

Typically, diplomatic representatives attend court hearings only when the matter involves a citizen of their own country or when they have explicit authorization to observe a trial for transparency and fairness. Even then, such involvement remains sensitive and subject to strict diplomatic norms.

According to diplomatic protocol, an ambassador’s presence inside a courtroom is considered a delicate matter, as it may be perceived as interference or an attempt to exert influence over judicial proceedings—something international diplomatic conventions strongly discourage.

The Norwegian envoy’s attendance at Mazari and Chatha’s hearing has thus raised concerns regarding possible overstepping of diplomatic boundaries. Though the ambassador did not participate in the proceedings, critics argue his presence could be viewed as an indirect signal of support or influence on behalf of the petitioners.

### **Background of the Case Against Mazari and Chatha**

The **National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency** has registered a case against Imran Mazari and Hadi Ali Chatha over allegedly sharing “anti-state sentiments” on social media platform X.

Charges were formally framed against both individuals on **October 30**, a day after Chatha was arrested outside the courtroom for failing to appear before the judge.

Upon his release, Chatha claimed he had arrived at the court five minutes before the hearing, yet the arrest warrant was issued in his presence.

The case sparked protests from civil society groups expressing solidarity with Mazari and Chatha and condemning the alleged misuse of cybercrime laws.

Pakistan’s decision to summon and formally protest to Norway underscores the sensitivity surrounding diplomatic involvement in domestic legal matters and the government’s view that such actions fall outside the acceptable limits of diplomatic conduct.