In a briefing to the Senate Standing Committee on Ports and Shipping, the secretary said the government is doing everything it can for the captain's release.
However, Captain Wasi's family has claimed that the government hasn't taken notice of the incident and the ransom deadline given by the pirates is only three days away.
Somali pirates holding the captain have demanded $2.1 million to free Captain Wasi. Wasi's daughter Laila announced that she would sell her kidney to save her father's life.
Interestingly, the shipping company Captain Wasi works for has offered $1 million, while an an international NGO has announced it would pay $500,000 for his release.
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