Ties between Norway and Pakistan

Letter April 15, 2012
Norway should end its ban on defence cooperation with Pakistan which it imposed in the 1990s.

LAHORE: This is with reference to the quote carried on your editorial pages of April 13 where Norway’s ambassador to Pakistan was quoted as saying: “Norway is worried about terrorism and an increase in seminaries in Pakistan. Even Pakistani businessmen are reluctant to invest in the country due to poor law and order.”

Norway should end its ban on defence cooperation with Pakistan which it imposed in the 1990s after Pakistan went nuclear. Other than this, what Norway can and should do is to help Pakistan face such challenges.


It can try and help cooperate with Pakistan in various fields, especially defence and in particular in helping the country build or acquire new naval vessels. Unfortunately, Norway is pulling its investments out of the country and that makes things for Pakistan even worse.


Amir Iftikhar Warraich


Former president


Pakistan-Norway Association


Published in The Express Tribune, April 16th, 2012.