Islamabad: Pakistan has issued a demarche to the Norwegian Ambassador over his attendance at a court case, declaring the move a deliberate interference in internal matters of Pakistan and is a flagrant violation of the Vienna Convention 1961.

According to Radio Pakistan, the demarche states that under the Convention’s Article 41, diplomats are bound to respect the laws of the receiving state and not interfere in its internal affairs. Unfortunately, this is not a singular incident; a pattern of activity by the Norwegian side has been observed, where elements hostile to the Pakistani state are supported and promoted by Norwegian NGOs.

It further stated that court cases related to individuals accused of being involved in anti-state activities are a highly sensitive internal matter for the country. Pakistan emphasized that it cannot tolerate any association by the diplomatic corps with anti-state elements.

The demarche asserted that Islamabad respects the sovereignty of Norway in its internal matters and expects reciprocal respect from Norway regarding Pakistan’s sovereignty. It emphasized that Norway must continue to abide by its commitments to the Vienna Conventions and observe the norms of diplomatic engagement and protocol in the future.

Responding to media queries regarding the demarche made to the Ambassador of Norway, Foreign Office Spokesperson Tahir Andrabi stated that the Norwegian Ambassador was summoned to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs regarding his unwarranted attendance at a court proceeding in Islamabad. Andrabi said it constitutes a breach of diplomatic protocol and relevant international law.

Noting that his actions amount to interference in the internal affairs of the country, the Ambassador was urged to adhere to the established norms of diplomatic engagement, as outlined in the relevant articles of the Vienna Convention.