KARACHI: Somali pirates have begun directly contacting the families of the ten Pakistani crew members who were kidnapped, it emerged on Monday. The Somali pirates have created a WhatsApp group named “Pakistani Crew Families”. In this group, the pirates have added one family member of each of the ten abducted Pakistanis.
Video Evidence of Hostages
A video was shared in the WhatsApp group showing all 10 Pakistani hostages. In the video, the captives can be seen along with two bottles of murky water, which they are reportedly being forced to drink aboard the ship. The pirates seized and formatted all crew members’ mobile phones except the captain’s phone, which remains in their possession. The WhatsApp group was created using that device.
Social Media Activity
The pirates also created a TikTok account using the identity of the MT Honor 25 vessel, with a group photo of the Pakistani hostages as the profile picture. On Eid, the pirates allowed each hostage to speak with his family. Ayesha, the wife of crew member Amin, said that during a brief conversation, Amin told her that the ship’s main engine had broken down and that the oil tanker was now stranded in one place.
Failed Rescue Attempts
He further stated that, over the past week, other pirate groups had twice attempted to seize their vessel, but the pirates holding them captive successfully repelled those attacks. Gunfire was exchanged during these incidents, and bullets struck the ship; however, all of the hostages remained unharmed.
Hostage Appeals
In a video message, hostage Yasir Khan appealed to the prime minister, president and army chief to take concrete steps to secure their release. He said that it was becoming increasingly difficult for the Pakistani crew to survive under the current conditions, as shortages of food and contaminated drinking water were causing illnesses to spread. The oil tanker has now been under hijacking for 42 days.
Government Response
Pakistani authorities claim that diplomatic efforts are ongoing to secure the release of the Pakistani crew members aboard the ship. However, both the hostages and the pirates have rejected these government claims in videos released previously. Qurrat-ul-Ain Advocate, director of the Ansar Burney Welfare Trust, said that the group had contacted both the Pakistan People's Party and the Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan regarding the hostages’ release. According to her, leaders of both parties assured them that they would raise the issue for discussion during the next sessions of the Senate and Parliament.
