Federal Minister for Law and Justice Azam Nazeer Tarar informed the National Assembly on Tuesday that the government is actively pursuing diplomatic efforts to secure the release of 10 Pakistani citizens held hostage in Somalia. Responding to a point raised by PPP MNA Abdul Qadir Patel during House proceedings, the minister said the government took immediate notice after the matter was brought before Parliament.
Diplomatic Engagement
Azam Tarar told the House that Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar had already contacted his Somali counterpart to discuss the issue. He added that the Foreign Office has remained fully engaged and has issued statements regarding the situation.
Continuous Coordination
The minister said Foreign Secretary Amna Baloch is in continuous contact with relevant Somali authorities, while Pakistan’s mission in Djibouti is closely monitoring developments and coordinating efforts to secure the hostages’ release. He explained that the Pakistani nationals are not being held by the Somali government but by another group, making it difficult to determine their exact location and ensure immediate release.
Government Commitment
Assuring lawmakers of the government's commitment, Tarar said Parliament and the public would be kept informed of any significant developments. “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.
Parliamentary Visit
Earlier, a delegation from Bangladesh’s higher education sector visited the National Assembly and observed proceedings. National Assembly Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq welcomed the delegation, while members of the House greeted the visitors by thumping their desks.
