Stronger efforts for Pakistanis held by Somali pirates: FO

Senate Standing Committee on Interior directs Foreign Office for explanation over captives held by Somalian pirates.

ISLAMABAD: The Senate Standing Committee on Interior directed the Foreign Ministry on Saturday to make ‘all-out efforts’ for the release of Pakistanis detained by the Somalian pirates.

The committee issued the directives during a meeting in which Foreign Ministry officials informed that 11 Pakistanis are in custody of the Somalian pirates.

The abductees were working for different private companies and were taken into captivity a year ago.

The pirates have demanded 2.3 million dollars in ransom while negotiations are underway to secure the safe release.

The committee directed the ministry to present a report within 5 days that sought an explanation from the Pakistani ambassadors deputed in the concerned countries.