Islamabad has escalated diplomatic initiatives to secure the release of Pakistani sailors held hostage by pirates off the coast of Somalia. Maritime Affairs Minister Junaid Anwar Chaudhry has called for swift action to ensure the safe and prompt return of the crew members.
The MT Honour 25, a product tanker flying the Palau flag, was captured on April 21 around 30 nautical miles from Somalia’s Puntland region. The vessel carried 17 crew members, including 10 Pakistanis.
In a statement released on Monday, the Ministry of Maritime Affairs revealed that Minister Chaudhry engaged in a phone conversation with Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Ishaq Dar and also reached out to the Somali ambassador in Pakistan. He emphasized the urgency of accelerating efforts to secure the release of the Pakistani seamen.
The minister noted that humanitarian measures were initiated immediately after the incident was reported in April. He has maintained continuous communication with Pakistan’s foreign ministry and the Somali embassy to coordinate ongoing efforts to resolve the crisis.
Despite persistent negotiations, none of the crew members have been freed to date. The vessel remains anchored off the Somali coast as talks with the pirates continue. The Somali government is reportedly liaising with the pirates through the ship’s owner to facilitate the hostages’ release.
Initially, the pirates demanded a ransom of $10 million, which was later reduced to $4 million. However, discussions have yet to yield a resolution.
Family members of the Pakistani crew have voiced increasing concern over their loved ones’ safety and have urged the government to intensify efforts to secure their release.
Somalia’s coast experienced rampant piracy during the 2000s, peaking in 2011 with hundreds of attacks. The threat diminished significantly following international naval interventions and improved security protocols by commercial vessels.
Notably, recent weeks have seen a resurgence in piracy incidents, the European Union naval mission off East Africa. Operation Atalanta, the EU’s naval force in Somalia, recorded three attacks in late April, the Maritime Security Centre Indian Ocean (MSCIO).
Additionally, shipping in the region has been disrupted since February 28 due to the US-Israeli conflict with Iran, though there is no direct evidence linking the MT Honour 25 hijacking to this broader conflict.
