Chinese nationals in Karachi withdraw harassment complaint after province pledges to investigate

Police officers stand guard outside a factory where, according to police, two Chinese nationals were shot and injured, in Karachi, Pakistan on November 5, 2024. (AFP/File)
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Updated 03 February 2025
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Chinese nationals in Karachi withdraw harassment complaint after province pledges to investigate

  • The men had approached a court saying their movement was being restricted by police on the pretext of security and it had affected their business
  • The provincial government said it was investigating the complaint, but added any grievance should have been made to it through the Chinese embassy

KARACHI: Six Chinese nationals who run businesses in Pakistan’s southern port city of Karachi have withdrawn a harassment complaint against police after provincial authorities said they would investigate the claims, a defense lawyer said on Monday.
The men had approached a court in Karachi saying they had invested a significant amount of money in Pakistan’s largest city but their movement was being restricted by police on the pretext of security and it had affected their business.
The provincial government in Pakistan’s southern Sindh province said it was investigating the complaint, but added that any grievance should have been made to the government through the Chinese embassy instead of petitioning a court.
Rehman Mahsud, an attorney for the six men, told The Associated Press that his clients are withdrawing their petition as they are now “satisfied” with the assurances provided by senior government officials.
Under a government directive, all Chinese nationals are required to inform police before they travel so an escort can be arranged. Local authorities increased security following the deaths of two Chinese nationals in a bomb attack last year.
Pakistan hosts thousands of Chinese workers as part of Beijing’s multibillion-dollar Belt and Road Initiative, which is building major infrastructure projects. Several Chinese companies have also been set up across the country.
Two Chinese nationals were killed in Karachi in October when a suicide bomber targeted their vehicle outside an airport. The Baloch Liberation Army, which is mainly active in the southwestern Balochistan province, claimed responsibility for the attack. The BLA accuses China of plundering the province’s mineral resources with Pakistan’s help.
Following the attack, China has called on Pakistan to protect Chinese workers due to a resurgence in militant violence.


Pakistan Super League to woo foreign investors in London roadshow today

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Pakistan Super League to woo foreign investors in London roadshow today

  • PCB says it has attracted “significant interest” from potential ownership groups in UK as it expands PSL to eight teams
  • PSL roadshow to attract diverse audience of business leaders, potential franchise owners and cricket supporters, says PCB

ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Super League (PSL) will host a landmark roadshow at the iconic Lord’s Cricket Ground (MCC) in London today, Sunday, to showcase the league’s commercial strength and future direction to foreign investors. 

The PSL is Pakistan’s premier T20 cricket league that features six city-based teams competing for the league’s title every year. The tournament’s 11th edition is expected to be held in April and May next year. 

The PCB has announced it will expand the cricket league to include two more franchises this year, raising the total number of teams to eight. The board said in a statement earlier this year that it has already received “significant interest” from potential ownership groups across the UK regarding the two new teams. 

“The London Roadshow aims to build on this momentum by offering investors and cricket lovers an immersive introduction to the league, its commercial ecosystem and the strategic vision driving its next phase of growth,” the board said in a statement on Dec. 2. 

The PCB said it expects to draw a diverse audience of business leaders, potential franchise owners and cricket supporters eager to engage with the league at the roadshow. 

It said the initiative will showcase PSL’s commitment to global expansion, strategic partnerships and delivering world-class entertainment and cricketing excellence. 

“This event is an important opportunity to deepen global partnerships and share our long-term vision for expansion and innovation,” PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi was quoted as saying by the board. 

“We look forward to welcoming investors and cricket enthusiasts in London.”

Within a span of 10 years, the PSL has competed for viewership with some of the most prominent cricket leagues around the world, including the Indian Premier League, the Big Bash League, the Hundred and the Caribbean Premier League, among others.