ISLAMABAD: A Pakistani high court has issued notices to the ministry of foreign affairs and others in response to a petition filed by Chinese citizens seeking relief from harassment, extortion, and unconstitutional restrictions on their movement enforced by police in southern Sindh province.
At least 12 Chinese nationals had filed a petition in the Sindh HC in Dec claiming that they, along with thousands of other Chinese citizens, came to Pakistan after completing all necessary legal formalities and invested significant amounts of money and resources in various business ventures and sectors. Six of the petitioners appeared in court on Friday after the case was set for hearing.
They claimed that it was the responsibility of the respondents to protect and provide a safe environment for all foreign citizens legally staying and investing in the country, including the petitioners.
The petitioners said the Sindh police had engaged in repeated acts of harassment over the last six to seven months, including unwarrantedly restricting movement of Chinese nationals in Karachi and Sindh and unjustified detentions within their residences on the pretext of “security issues” without any clear legal grounds or specific incidents to justify such actions.
They also claimed that the policemen stationed at their homes literally locked them in and restricted their movement within the confines of their houses, and that when the petitioners bowed to their illegal demands of paying Pakistani Rs 30,000 ($110) to Rs 50,000 ($182), they were let go.
The petitioners also stated that officers from Sukhan police station (in Sindh) had recently sealed seven industrial units of other Chinese nationals without prior notice, citing security reasons.
They added that their problems began when they arrived at the airport where officials refused to let them enter the country unless they were bribed, despite having all legally required papers.
They also accused police of allegedly throwing stones at their vehicles and smashing the rear screens of their cars, and that the deployed policemen appeared indecent and unprofessionally trained. They cited complaints against them for disturbing privacy and demanding tips ranging from Pakistani Rs 15,000 ($55) to Rs 50,000 ($182).
The petition also referenced an incident in which three Chinese female investors were forced to return to China after being treated disrespectfully at a Karachi expo centre. They warned that unless the authorities intervened they would either return to Lahore or leave the country altogether.
The petitioners requested the HC to direct the authorities to respect the rights of Chinese nationals in conformity with international laws. In response, the court sent notices to all parties concerned, including the home ministry, chief secretary and police chief of Sindh, home secretary, the head of the special unit for CPEC security, and the Chinese embassy.