Moving SHC by Chinese nationals 'against protocol': minister

Lanjar says petitioners should approach Sindh govt

KARACHI:

Sindh Home Minister Ziaul Hassan Lanjar has expressed displeasure over a recent petition filed by a group of Chinese nationals in the Sindh High Court (SHC) regarding alleged police harassment and restrictions on their movement, calling it "against protocol."

The petition was submitted by six Chinese nationals, represented by their lawyer Peer Rehman Mehsud, who argued that they, along with thousands of other Chinese citizens, had entered Pakistan legally, made huge investments in various sectors, and followed all necessary procedures.

The petitioners claimed that, over the past six to seven months, the Sindh police had repeatedly harassed them, including unjustly restricting their movements in Karachi and throughout Sindh. They also alleged that they were subjected to arbitrary detentions in their homes under the guise of "security concerns," despite a lack of clear legal justification or any specific incidents to warrant such actions.

Subsequently, the SHC's constitutional bench issued notices to the foreign ministry and other concerned parties, while the Sindh government launched an inquiry into the allegations.

Speaking to the media outside the Sindh Assembly on Monday, Home Minister Lanjar criticised the petition, stating that it was "against the protocols." He suggested that the petitioners should approach the provincial government through the Chinese Consul General or Pakistan's Foreign Office.

The home minister claimed that the petitioners were in Pakistan in a private capacity and did not have any formal investments in the country.