The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Pakistan on Thursday has summoned Summon the Norwegian Ambassador to Pakistan and have urged him to adhere to the established norms of diplomatic engagement.
A strong Demarche has been sent to him following his appearance at the court hearing in the case on Pakistani Human Rights Activist Iman Zainab Mazari Hazir and her husband Hadi Ali Chattha. Both have been accused in a case pertaining to controversial social media posts.
The diplomats present at the court hearing generated a lot of debate on social media. The Ministry in its statement that the Scandinavian country’s top representative was summoned by the Additional Foreign Secretary Europe.
It was informed that his presence breached diplomatic protocol and relevant international law.
🔊PR No.3️⃣7️⃣3️⃣/2️⃣0️⃣2️⃣5️⃣
Statement by the Spokesperson
🔗⬇️https://t.co/sULOquDLwY pic.twitter.com/Mw60y0GIrQ
— Ministry of Foreign Affairs – Pakistan (@ForeignOfficePk) December 11, 2025
Pakistan has issued a strong demarche to the Norwegian Ambassador, warning Norway against interfering in its internal affairs. The protest follows the envoy’s presence at a Supreme Court hearing on 11 November 2025 in the case involving Iman Mazari. pic.twitter.com/ebcGWol57M
— Rizwan Ghilzai (Remembering Arshad Sharif) (@rizwanghilzai) December 11, 2025
Who is going to explain to this genius that diplomats routinely observe court proceedings – that is not equivalent to them taking a position on any case. This is a standard practice but its very clear where the pressure is coming from to malign the Ambassador.
Read more: Former ISI Chief Faiz Hameed sentenced to 14-year imprisonment
Norwegian Ambassador Per Albert Ilsaas attended the Supreme Court hearing of Human Rights Activists on Wednesday. Iman Mazari, however, defended the Norwegian Ambassadors present during the court hearing today in a social media post.
Who is going to explain to this genius that diplomats routinely observe court proceedings – that is not equivalent to them taking a position on any case. This is a standard practice but its very clear where the pressure is coming from to malign the Ambassador. https://t.co/I3OHgsCVlA
— Imaan Zainab Mazari-Hazir (@ImaanZHazir) December 11, 2025
Meanwhile, the Supreme Court of Pakistan has ordered a stay on the trial in the controversial case on Iman Mazari and her husband Hadi Ali Chattar on Thursday. The hearing concerned a request for Iman Mazari and her husband to hold the trial.
The court directed that the trial remain suspended until the Islamabad High Court delivers its verdict, emphasizing that the High Court should hear all the parties before concluding the case. The hearing was conducted by a three-judge bench led by Justice Hashim Kakkar, Justice Salauddin Panhar, and Justice Ishtiaq Ibrahim.
Iman and Hadi had filed a petition in the IFC seeking the transfer of their case on December 1, alleging a lack of transparency by Additional Sessions Judge Afzal Majoka. The petition was filed during the final hearing of the controversial tweets case being heard at the district concession courts in Islamabad filed under the PECA arrangement introduced by the government. The application submitted by lawyer Iman was seeking an expedited hearing of her plea for the stay in the trial concerning the controversial tweets case.
Why? What would have conveyed a good message in the frivolous case against @ImaanZHazir & Hadi? The case under the draconian #PECA has made a mockery of Constitutional rights & freedoms in the country. Silencing brave voices is cowardly. #WeStandWithImaanAndHadi https://t.co/EEC73zQL20
— Bushra Gohar (@BushraGohar) December 11, 2025
In the application filed before the Supreme Court, the petitioners argued that the criminal trial against them was at its final stage, necessitating their urgent attention. The petition also said that the petitioners had filed a criminal revision before the IHC to challenge the proceedings of the trial. They stated that there has been a violation of due process under the Code of Criminal Procedures, particularly regarding the recording of evidence in their absence.
SC ordered that the High Court is expected to hear both sides fully and issue a prompt ruling. A stay order was issued with the mutual consent of both the parties. The District and Sessions Court in Islamabad adjourned the controversial tweet case hearing on Monday until December 15.