Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar on Tuesday informed the National Assembly that the government was actively working through diplomatic channels to secure the release of 10 Pakistani citizens being held hostage in Somalia. The oil tanker Honour 25, sailing under the Somali flag from Oman to Somalia, was hijacked by pirates on April 21. There were 17 crew members aboard, 10 of whom were Pakistani nationals.
Families Appeal for Safe Release
The families of the Pakistani hostages have continuously appealed to the government for the safe release of their loved ones. In video and audio messages, the Pakistani hostages reported that food supplies and medicines on the ship had run out. They said they were being given only one serving of boiled rice per day. Clean drinking water has also run out, forcing the hostages to drink contaminated water, which is causing illnesses among them.
Government's Immediate Response
Responding to a point raised by Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) lawmaker Abdul Qadir Patel during the House proceedings, the minister said the government took immediate notice of the matter as soon as it was brought before Parliament. The minister informed the House that Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar had already contacted his Somali counterpart to discuss the issue, adding that the Foreign Office has remained fully engaged and has issued statements regarding the situation.
Dar held a phone call last week with his Somalian counterpart Abdisalam Abdi Ali to convey Pakistan's "grave" concern over the situation and underscored the importance of ensuring the hostages' well-being, their early release, and safe repatriation. Ali had assured Dar of Somalia's "continued and sincere efforts" to secure the hostages' release at the earliest opportunity.
Continuous Coordination
Tarar said that Foreign Secretary Amna Baloch was in continuous contact with the relevant Somali authorities, while Pakistan’s mission in Djibouti was closely monitoring developments and coordinating efforts for the hostages’ release. He said that the hostages were not being held by the Somali government but by another group, making it challenging to determine their exact whereabouts and secure their immediate release.
Government's Commitment
Assuring the House of the government’s commitment, Tarar said Parliament and the public would be kept informed of any significant progress. “These are our citizens, and their safety remains a matter of serious concern for the government. We are fully aware of their situation and are making every possible effort through diplomatic channels to secure their release,” he said.
Other Developments
Earlier in the session, a delegation from Bangladesh’s higher education sector visited the National Assembly and observed the proceedings. NA Speaker Ayaz Sadiq welcomed the visiting delegation, while lawmakers greeted them by thumping their desks.
Maritime Affairs Minister Junaid Anwar Chaudhry said last week that the government was "actively working" to secure the release of 10 seamen held hostage by Somali pirates on a ship for over a month. Foreign Office Spokesperson Tahir Andrabi has also said Pakistan remained “actively engaged” in efforts to secure the release of the crew.
