Chinese woman alleges harassment by police in Karachi

A video circulating on social media showed a Chinese woman, accompanied by a child, accusing the Karachi police of harassment. She complained that her house had been locked by the police while she was forced to stand outside, and cops were reportedly inside her home.

“This policeman does not allow us to go and the door is closed,” she was heard saying in the video.

Chinese investors filed a petition in the Sindh High Court's constitutional bench on Friday, seeking protection against alleged police harassment. Following the petition, the court issued notices to the relevant parties and requested their responses within four weeks.

The petition named several individuals, including the federal interior ministry, Sindh's chief secretary, the inspector general (IG) of police, the home secretary, the head of the special unit for CPEC security, and the Chinese embassy, as respondents.

The petitioners pleaded for protection from police harassment and extortion, warning that if their grievances were not addressed, they would be compelled to return to Lahore or China.

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Rehman Mehsud Advocate, representing the petitioners, argued that Chinese investors had come to Pakistan at the invitation of high-ranking officials, including the Prime Minister and the Army Chief. However, they faced continuous extortion demands.

The lawyer alleged that police officers demand bribes from Rs30,000 to Rs50,000 in exchange for security and movement facilities.

Investors are reportedly forced to wait for hours at the airport under the pretense of providing bulletproof vehicles. Upon payment of bribes, police officials escort them to their residences in official vehicles.

The petition also stated that Chinese investors are deprived of their right to free movement, with their residences frequently locked under the guise of security. Business meetings are often disrupted, and police allegedly attack their vehicles, even breaking windows in some instances.

The lawyer further noted that three Chinese women investors returned to China following misconduct at Karachi’s Expo Center. Additionally, seven factories owned by Chinese citizens were sealed within the jurisdiction of the Sukkun police station.

The petitioners urged the court to direct authorities to uphold the rights of Chinese citizens in accordance with international laws.

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In response to the allegations, Sindh Home Minister Zia-ul-Hassan Lanjar took notice of the matter and directed the IG Sindh to conduct an inquiry into the extortion and harassment claims.

According to a statement issued by the Home Department, the Sindh government reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring the security of Chinese citizens in line with standard operating procedures (SOPs).

The minister instructed that a senior police officer be nominated as the inquiry officer and emphasized the need for "foolproof security" for Chinese nationals.

Lanjar added that Chinese citizens facing issues related to security arrangements should approach the Sindh police for assistance, and all efforts should be made to provide a safe and conducive environment for Chinese investors.