Chinese investors have approached the Sindh High Court, seeking legal intervention over alleged harassment and extortion by local police, Express News reported.
The petitioners appeared before the court claiming that they were subjected to harassment and extortion by Sindh police officials. They warned that unless authorities intervened, they would return to Lahore or leave the country altogether.
The petitioner’s counsel, advocate Rahman Mehsud, argued that the Chinese investors had come to Pakistan at the invitation of senior officials, including the prime minister and the army chief, to make investments. However, they have faced many challenges since their arrival.
Mehsud said that from the airport to their residences, investors were invited for bribes, and they had to endure long waits for armored vehicles at the airport. In exchange for bribes, police officers allegedly transported them to their residences.
Additionally, the petitioners claimed that their residences were often locked down with security personnel stationed outside, restricting their freedom of movement.
They also alleged that they were unable to attend company meetings and, at times, police officers would smash their vehicle windows during the attacks. For a bribe ranging from Rs30,000 to Rs50,000, the police offered limited movement opportunities.
The petition also mentioned an incident in which three Chinese investors were forced to return to China after being disrespected at an expo center.
Additionally, seven Chinese-owned factories in the Sakhi Thana jurisdiction were closed by local authorities. The petitioners asked the court to direct authorities to protect the rights of Chinese citizens in accordance with international laws.
In response, the court issued notices to all parties involved, including the Home Ministry, Sindh Chief Secretary, Inspector General of Police, Home Secretary, Chief special unit for the security of CPEC and the Chinese embassy. The court requested responses from the parties within four weeks.
