Families of ten Pakistani nationals abducted by Somali pirates gathered outside the Karachi Press Club to demand urgent government intervention for their safe return. The demonstration, organised by Jamaat-e-Islami, saw significant participation from relatives of the hostages.
The vessel MT Honour 25, carrying 17 crew members including 10 Pakistanis, was seized near Somalia’s semi-autonomous Puntland region on April 21. The captives have now been held for nearly two months, prompting the protesters to call for stronger diplomatic efforts to secure their release. They stressed that the government bears responsibility for protecting its citizens and urged immediate action.
Addressing the crowd, acting JI Karachi Emir Saifuddin Advocate urged the government to treat the matter with the utmost seriousness and escalate diplomatic negotiations. He highlighted that JI Emir Hafiz Naeemur Rehman has also demanded the immediate release of the abducted Pakistanis, affirming the party’s commitment to continue advocating for the cause.
At the conclusion of the protest, participants passed a resolution calling on the government, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and relevant agencies to intensify communication with the Somali government, international organisations, and other stakeholders. The resolution also requested the establishment of a dedicated task force to oversee the hostages’ release and insisted on regular updates to the families on any progress.
This protest follows the release of a new video earlier this week showing Pakistani crew members held hostage aboard the MT Honour 25. In the footage, the ship’s second officer, Syed Kashif Umar, appealed urgently for government intervention. He revealed that the crew had been captive for 57 days, with limited food supplies and some individuals falling ill. He also noted that the ship’s owners had been reluctant to negotiate with the pirates.
The Indonesian captain of the vessel has similarly appealed to his government for help in securing the crew’s freedom. Meanwhile, the Foreign Office reiterated last week that the government remains committed to securing the release of the Pakistani hostages.
Diplomatic channels remain active, with the vessel still anchored off the Somali coast as negotiations continue. The Somali government is reportedly communicating with the pirates through the vessel’s owner in an effort to resolve the situation. Initially, the pirates demanded a ransom of $10 million, which was later reduced to $4 million, but no agreement has yet been reached.
