The Foreign Office on Thursday reaffirmed the government's dedication to securing the release of Pakistani nationals held hostage by Somali pirates for nearly two months, while acknowledging the complexities involved in negotiating their freedom. The MT Honour 25, carrying 17 crew members including 10 Pakistanis, was hijacked near Somalia's semi-autonomous Puntland region on April 21. Since then, families of the hostages have expressed growing concern over the deteriorating conditions aboard the vessel.
Diplomatic Efforts Underway
Speaking at the weekly media briefing, Foreign Office spokesperson Tahir Hussain Andrabi stated that despite sustained efforts, the crew members have remained in captivity for around 50 days. "We have made earnest efforts and those efforts continue," he said, adding that Pakistan is in contact with Somali authorities, the shipowner, and tribal stakeholders in Puntland to facilitate the crew's early release.
Andrabi revealed that Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar recently spoke with his Somali counterpart, Abdul Salam Ali, to discuss the situation. Dar conveyed Pakistan's grave concern over the continued detention of the crew and stressed the need for their immediate release and safe repatriation. He also called for improved living conditions for all 17 crew members, who include nationals of Indonesia, India, Myanmar, and Sri Lanka. The Somali foreign minister assured Pakistan of his government's continued efforts to secure the hostages' release, with both sides agreeing to maintain close coordination until the matter is resolved.
Additional Measures
Andrabi outlined several measures Pakistan has undertaken to address the issue. In addition to Dar's engagement with his Somali counterpart, Somalia's ambassador in Islamabad was summoned for discussions with Foreign Secretary Amna Baloch on possible avenues for securing the hostages' freedom. Pakistan's embassy in Djibouti, which is accredited to Mogadishu, has dispatched teams to Somalia to engage with relevant authorities and stakeholders. The government has also been holding inter-ministerial and inter-departmental consultations, with another high-level meeting scheduled at the Foreign Office next week.
Complex Negotiations
Describing the situation as operationally complex, Andrabi noted that the hostages are being held in Puntland, where tribal dynamics play a significant role in negotiations. "The pirates and the shipowner belong to different tribes, which adds to the complexity of the discussions," he said, urging patience while expressing sympathy for the affected families. He reiterated that the matter remains a high priority for the government and that efforts to secure the crew's safe release will continue.
