7 years on: Missing Norwegian’s case still unsolved

Oslo seeks fresh DNA sample from the man’s brother in Pakistan.

LAHORE:

Despite the lapse of seven years, the Norwegian government is continuing its efforts for reaching the real facts in the case of a reported murder of its missing national in Pakistan in 2005.

The case has received widespread attention from the Norwegian media and politicians, official documents obtained by The Express Tribune revealed.

In a recent correspondence with the Pakistani police via Interpol, the Norwegian police have expressed dissatisfaction with the DNA comparison test of a Pakistani laboratory regarding the murder of the Norwegian national.

The Norwegian police have told Pakistani authorities that they would like to obtain a fresh DNA reference sample from the missing person’s brother living in Pakistan in the presence of Norwegian officers for their satisfaction, the official documents further revealed.

Interpol Oslo has intimated that Abdul Rehman Raja, a Norwegian national, has been missing since October 17, 2005 after a visit to Thuta Rai Bahadur, District Gujrat, and the case is still under investigation in Norway.

In this regard a diffusion notification has been issued against this matter, the documents show.

Furthermore, Interpol Oslo has also intimated that according to the Norway police, a Pakistani national named Mohammad Arif, a resident of Chianlian Wali South, Gujranwala, was arrested and charged with the murder of the missing Raja. A police officer, Gulraiz Ahmed, also was arrested and charged with participation in the murder. Raja’s first wife, who lives in Norway, reportedly conspired the abduction and murder of Raja. Interpol Oslo has requested for information in the matter.

After receiving the said message through Interpol Oslo, the National Central Bureau (UNCB) Pakistan, Interpol and the Federal Investigation Agency have sought the help of the authorities concerned, through the public prosecution department of Punjab, in obtaining a fresh DNA reference sample from the missing person’s brother living in Pakistan, a fresh statement of the arrested accused charged with the murder of Raja and a copy of the legal proceedings of the case.

It is therefore requested to look into the matter and provide us the relevant documents and take other necessary steps to meet the request from the Interpol Oslo, the NCB’s covering letter stated.

The contents of the documents sent by the Interpol Oslo revealed that the Norwegian police are aware of the fact that on March 25, 2011 Pakistani national Mohammad Arif, resident of Gujranwala, was arrested and charged with the murder of the missing Raja.

On March 29, 2011 he was brought to the District and Sessions Court. The police suspect that the missing person’s first wife, who lives in Norway, in league with her three brothers, ordered the abduction and murder of Raja.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 2^nd, 2012.