FO affirms that the action constitutes a serious violation of diplomatic responsibility and interference in judicial matters
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has issued a strong representation to the Norwegian ambassador following his participation in the hearing of the Imaan Mazari case before the Supreme Court of Pakistan on November 11. This move, Pakistan maintains, was not only a violation of diplomatic norms but also interference in the country’s internal judicial affairs.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemned the action, stressing that the presence of the Norwegian ambassador in the courtroom was a direct violation of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations (1961), specifically Article 41, which obliges diplomats to respect the laws of the host country and to refrain from interfering in its internal affairs.
“This is not the first incident of this type of interference,” reads a statement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Furthermore, he singled out Norwegian NGOs, particularly those operating under the guise of defending human rights, which Pakistan claims have been supporting elements involved in anti-Pakistan activities.
The statement also stated that the actions of the Norwegian ambassador have the potential to influence the judicial process, which constitutes a serious violation of diplomatic responsibility and international law.
Pakistan made it clear that it would not tolerate any foreign interference in its internal affairs, reiterating the country’s sovereignty and its commitment to international diplomatic norms. The response of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs underlines Pakistan’s stance as an independent and autonomous State, determined to protect its sovereignty against external pressures.
