Staff Reporter

KARACHI, APR 24 /DNA/ – The Sindh government has urged the Ministry of Interior for issuance of a red warrant against Norwegian journalist Rolf J. Wideroe in connection with a criminal case registered in Shaheed Benazirabad involving corruption of around 10 million Rs.

An official letter issued by the Home Department, Government of Sindh, on April 23, 2026, states that the department has previously written to the federal authorities including in November 2022, 2024 and 2025 about Rolf J. Wideroe, Chief Editor of Norway’s extreme-right tabloid Verdens Gang (VG) who has been a proclaimed offender in Pakistan since 2015

According to the document, Rolf J. Wideroe is wanted in FIR No. 225/2015 registered at Police Station A-Section Nawabshah under sections 420, 406, 506/2 of the Pakistan Penal Code, along with provisions of the Telegraph Act.

A criminal case bearing No. 222/2015 was registered against him for depriving a Pakistani citizen Maqsood Ali of 10 million rupees by making a false promise of getting him a Norwegian passport during his visit to Nawabshah, Pakistan. A Pakistani court document says, “After receiving hefty payment Rolf J. Widerøe firstly threatened Maqsood Ali of dire consequences and finally managed to flee from Pakistan.

The law enforcement agency managed to secure non-bailable arrest warrants of Rolf. J. Widerøe from the competent court of law. Subsequently, request for issuance of Red Warrants was made for Rolf. J. Widerøe. He is still absconding from the process of law and wanted by the law enforcement agencies of Pakistan.”

Sindh Police have confirmed that it continues to look for Widerøe who fraudulently took Rs10 million from Maqsood Ali of Nawabshah, promising to give him Norwegian immigration papers.

Maqsood Ali had registered a complaint against Widerøe on 14 January 2016 at the Dhamrah Road Police Station, Nawabshah, but he had left Pakistan by that time.

According to the Sindh Police and the publicly available record, Widerøe was visiting Pakistan on a journalist visa when he committed the alleged fraud of theft by deception.

According to the police record, Maqsood Ali s/o Abdul Ghafoor Arain lodged an FIR at Dhamrah Road Police Station and nominated Widerøe as the accused who took 10 million rupees in the presence of eyewitnesses from the Pakistani national for Norwegian passport but “committed cheating and criminal breach of trust.”

Maqsood Ali also told the police that Widerøe threatened him with death and dire consequences over the phone after he left Pakistan, when he asked him to either facilitate him in getting the Norwegian passport or return his money.

After registration of the FIR and non-compliance by the Norwegian national, the Court of the Civil Judge & Judicial Magistrate- III Nawabshah issued Non-Bailable Arrest Warrants (NBWs) against Widerøe, declaring him an absconder of Pakistani laws.

Roshan Ali Bhugio, Civil Judge and Judicial Magistrate-111 Nawabshah, issued both the Non-Baialble Warrant of Arrest (NWA) and execution of the same warrant in “The State vs Raolf J. Winderoe” case on 27 February 2016. The Judge Roshan Ali Bhugio had ordered arrest of Widerøe in the fraud case against him.

TEHRAN: The government sources said that Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi is expected to arrive in Islamabad tonight (Friday) with a small delegation.

Sources divulged that following significant discussions with the Pakistani mediation team, a second round of Islamabad peace talks between the United States and Iran is anticipated.

Officials said that a US logistical and security team is already present in Islamabad to support the negotiation process.

According to sources, the latest development follows substantive engagement with Pakistan’s mediation team.

Earlier, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi held a telephone conversation with Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Ishaq Dar, during which the regional situation, ceasefire efforts and diplomatic initiatives were discussed.

A Foreign Office spokesperson stated that the two leaders exchanged views on recent regional developments, ceasefire prospects and Islamabad’s diplomatic efforts in the context of US-Iran relations.

On the occasion, Ishaq Dar said that sustained dialogue and diplomatic engagement remain vital for lasting peace and stability, so that all outstanding issues may be resolved at the earliest.

Abbas Araghchi acknowledged Pakistan’s positive and constructive role in the region, while both leaders agreed to remain in close contact.

It is noted that Pakistan continues diplomatic efforts aimed at reducing tensions between the United States and Iran and promoting a ceasefire.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and the military leadership remain engaged with various countries to prevent further escalation of the situation.

Dar briefs Prime Minister after telephone call with Iranian counterpart
Meanwhile, Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar contacted the Prime Minister following a telephone conversation with his Iranian counterpart.

Mr Dar informed the Prime Minister of the details of his discussion with Abbas Araghchi.

Matters relating to the regional security situation and fears of an escalation in tensions were discussed.

There was also a detailed exchange of views on the second round of Iran–United States talks.

The deputy prime minister apprised Shehbaz Sharif of recent diplomatic developments.

ISLAMABAD: The Sindh government has pressed Pakistan’s Ministry of Interior for the issuance of a red warrant against Norwegian journalist Rolf J. Wideroe in connection with a criminal case registered in Shaheed Benazirabad involving alleged corruption of around Rs 10 million.

An official letter issued by the Home Department, Government of Sindh, on 23 April 2026, stated that previous correspondence was sent to federal authorities in November 2022, 2024 and 2025 regarding Rolf J. Wideroe, Chief Editor of Norway’s tabloid Verdens Gang (VG).

According to official documents, Rolf J. Wideroe is wanted in FIR No. 225/2015 registered at Police Station A-Section Nawabshah under sections 420, 406 and 506/2 of the Pakistan Penal Code, along with provisions of the Telegraph Act.

He has been declared a proclaimed offender in Pakistan since 2015.

A separate case, FIR No. 222/2015, alleges that he deprived a Pakistani citizen, Maqsood Ali, of Rs 10 million after promising to arrange Norwegian immigration documents during a visit to Nawabshah.

Court records state that after receiving payment, the accused allegedly issued threats and later left Pakistan. Non-bailable arrest warrants were issued by the competent court after his departure.

Maqsood Ali lodged a complaint on 14 January 2016 at Dhamrah Road Police Station, Nawabshah, though the accused had already left the country.

According to police records, Wideroe was visiting Pakistan on a journalist visa at the time of the alleged incident.

The complainant has stated that he was threatened over the telephone after the accused left Pakistan, when he demanded either the return of his money or fulfilment of the alleged promise.

Civil courts in Nawabshah later issued non-bailable arrest warrants and declared him an absconder. Judicial records confirm that execution of warrants could not be carried out as the accused had left Pakistan.

An Inspector General of Police report dated February 27, 2016 confirmed that Wideroe had been declared an absconder and had not returned to Pakistan despite repeated requests.

Police officials maintained that efforts to trace him continue.

MOSCOW, APR 24: The first deputy head of the Main Directorate of International Military Cooperation of the Russian Defense Ministry says Iran demonstrated a “shining example” of defense during the recent illegal US-Israeli war of aggression.

“Iranian Armed Forces showed to the world a shining example of their firm resolve to defend their country’s interests,” Major-General Yevgeny Ilyin said during a ceremony in Moscow on Thursday, marking Iran’s National Army Day.

Iranian forces, he added, stand ready to deliver a proper and proportionate response to emerging challenges and threats.

The Russian military official said the Islamic Republic of Iran Army, with its steadfastness and courage, has protected the country’s defense and security and turned into a reliable guarantor for the nation’s independence and stability.

The unprovoked US-Israeli aggression on Iran began on February 28 with airstrikes that assassinated senior Iranian officials and commanders.

Iranian armed forces unleashed 100 waves of successful retaliatory strikes against sensitive and strategic American and Israeli targets throughout the region.

On April 8, forty days into the war, a Pakistan-brokered two-week ceasefire went into effect but the first round of Tehran-Washington negotiations failed to reach an agreement.

Referring to the strategic partnership pact signed between Iran and Russia, Ilyin said that both states have maintained their cooperation in many fields.

Iran-Russia defense relations are multifaceted, encompassing areas from the deep sea to space, he added.

The military official also reiterated Russia’s resolve to implement previous agreements with Iran and continue working on plans for bilateral military cooperation.

During the ceremony, Iran’s military attaché to Russia Sadeq Rezaei Moqaddam said Iranian Armed Forces have always been committed to moral principles and differentiated between military and civilian targets.

On the contrary, he said, the US and the Israeli regime perpetrated horrible war crimes by killing 170 students and teachers at an elementary school in the city of Minab, and targeting the Iranian Dena destroyer which was returning home from a naval drill in India.

The attacks on civilian infrastructure and educational centers represent the enemies’ strategic failure to deal a blow to the will of the Iranian nation, Rezaei Moqaddam asserted.

The perfect coordination of the Army units and other forces caused the aggressors to step back and thwarted their calculations, he said.

He further stressed that enhanced technical and military cooperation between the Iranian and Russian armed forces not only guarantees the national security of both nations, but is also the main pillar to safeguarding stability in Eurasia and countering unilateralism and organized international crimes.

TEHRAN, APR 24 /DNA/ – Iranian Foreign Minister to visit Pakistan tonight with a small delegation for 2nd round of talks.

ISLAMABAD, Apr 24: The King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Centre (KSrelief) has successfully completed the distribution of food packages to 8,500 families in Punjab under the final phase of the Food Security Support Project in Pakistan. The initiative was aimed at ensuring the provision of essential food supplies to food-insecure and deserving populations.

Under this intervention, food packages weighing 97 kilograms each were distributed among vulnerable communities in Punjab, most of whom were affected by recent floods. A total of 8,500 food packages were distributed across 10 districts, including Multan (Jalalpur Pirwala) 1,000, Bahawalpur 1,000, Muzaffargarh (Alipur) 900, Bahawalnagar 1,600, Rajanpur 500, Nankana Sahib 500, Khanewal (Kabirwala) 700, Rahim Yar Khan 700, Chiniot 800, and Toba Tek Singh 800.

Each package included 80 kilograms of flour, 5 liters of cooking oil, 5 kilograms of sugar, 5 kilograms of Daal chana, and 2 kilograms of dates, ensuring essential nutritional support for beneficiary families.

The distribution process was carried out in a transparent and well-coordinated manner with the support of the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA), district administrations, and KSrelief’s implementing partners, Hayat Foundation and the Peace and Development Organization.

This initiative reflects KSrelief’s continued commitment to strengthening food security across Pakistan by providing timely assistance to vulnerable communities. It further underscores KSrelief’s broader humanitarian mission to alleviate suffering and promote sustainable development worldwide.

ISLAMABAD, APR 24 (DNA): President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday paid tribute to the security forces for killing 22 terrorists of Fitna Al-Khawarij during a joint intelligence-based operation in Khyber district.

In separate statements, both leaders reaffirmed their resolve to continue the fight against terrorism until its complete elimination from the country.

President Zardari stated that terrorists were attempting to undermine Pakistan’s leadership efforts to ensure lasting peace in the region.

“We will defeat terrorism and continue to play a leading role in maintaining peace in the region and across the world,” the president said.

He also expressed deep grief over the martyrdom of a 10-year-old child during the operation and extended heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also expressed sorrow over the child’s martyrdom, which occurred as a result of unprovoked firing by the terrorists.

Strongly condemning the act, the prime minister prayed for strength and patience for the grieving family.

“The cowardly terrorists’ unprovoked firing, carried out in an attempt to save themselves, which resulted in the martyrdom of a child, is an irreparable crime against humanity,” he added.