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ISLAMABAD: The Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Thursday summoned the ambassador of a European nation and urged him to “adhere to the established norms of diplomatic engagement” after his “unwarranted” attendance at a court hearing on Thursday.
Earlier in the day, Norwegian Ambassador Per Albert Ilsaas attended the Supreme Court hearing of rights activist Imaan Zainab Mazari-Hazir and her husband, Hadi Ali Chattha, in a case pertaining to controversial social media posts.
The diplomat’s presence during court proceedings caused a stir in court and on social media.
The ministry, in its statement, said the Scandinavian nation’s envoy was summoned by the additional foreign secretary for Europe. He was informed that his presence breached “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,” the statement said.
However, Ms Mazari defended the envoy’s presence during the hearing.
Speaking to the press after her hearing, she responded to a journalist who framed the ambassador’s presence as a “breach of diplomatic norms”, saying that “diplomats routinely observe court proceedings — that is not equivalent to them taking a position on any case”.
She added, “This is a standard practice, but it’s very clear where the pressure is coming from to malign the ambassador.”
Ms Mazari and her husband are facing a trial under the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act 2016 (Peca). They had moved an application in the Supreme Court requesting the urgent hearing of their appeal against the IHC’s refusal to grant interim relief.
The controversy stems from a complaint filed on Aug 12, 2025, by the assistant director (investigating officer) at the National Cybercrime Investigation Agency (NCCIA), Islamabad, before the FIA’s Cybercrime Reporting Centre under Peca.
The complaint accused Ms Mazari of disseminating and “propagating narratives that align with hostile terrorist groups and proscribed organisations”, while her husband was implicated for sharing some of her posts.
The two have already filed a criminal revision before the IHC challenging the trial proceedings on grounds of due process violations under the CrPC, particularly the recording of evidence in their absence.
SC stays proceedings
Meanwhile, the Supreme Court on Thursday stayed trial proceedings against Ms Mazari and her husband until their pending appeals are decided by the Islamabad High Court.
The apex court issued the directives as a three-judge bench, headed by Justice Muhammad Hashim Khan Kakar and comprising Justice Salahuddin Panwhar and Justice Ishtiaq Ibrahim, heard Ms Mazari’s appeal seeking to set aside the IHC’s Dec 1 order refusing to grant interim relief by staying the trial in the case.
While dictating the order during Thursday’s proceedings, Justice Kakar said, “We expect the IHC to decide on the fate of the petition after providing a full opportunity of hearing to both parties.”
The order stayed the trial court proceedings, which were scheduled to resume on Dec 15 by Additional District and Sessions Judge Muhammad Afzal Majoka.
Ms Mazari and her husband were represented by senior counsel Faisal Siddiqi, whereas Additional Attorney General Rana Asadur Rehman opposed the maintainability of the appeal.
During the hearing, Justice Kakar observed that it was common practice for the plaintiff to devise their own strategies to fight the case, but the court would neither belittle nor undermine the trial court judge.
Published in Dawn, December 12th, 2025
