Pakistan

Family of Captain Wasi launches campaign to raise money

Family of captain in Somali pirate's captivity launches campaign with the MQM to raise the demanded ransom money.

Express April 21, 2011

The family of Captain Wasi Hassan, one of four Pakistanis kidnapped by Somali pirates, launched a campaign in Karachi along with the MQM on Thursday to raise money to be paid in ransom to the pirates.

The captain was held hostage along with three other Pakistanis by the pirates on August 8 last year.

Earlier, the pirates extended the deadline for the ransom to fifteen days from the previous two days. They also reduced their demand by a $100,000 to keep the final bid at $2 million dollars.

The shipping company, which employs the four Pakistanis, has offered $1 million, while an international NGO announced $500,000 for the release.

The Ports and Shipping secretary said the government is in touch with the captain's family and doing everything it can for their release. But the family claims it has not received any help from the government.

COMMENTS (4)

Hedgefunder | 13 years ago | Reply @Ahmed: Because your commandoes are for show!! Not to fight and rescue pakistanis!!!! Remember the second comment that $500,000 was raised by an Indian from Dubai, perhaps due to vested interests!!

Mobisher Rabbani | 13 years ago | Reply In the recent UN conference on maritime piracy held in Dubai where delegations of 50 countries participated the Foreign Minister of Somalia pleaded to countries & shipping companies not to pay ransoms as it encouraged more Somalians to join. On March 9th speaking at the International Maritime conference in Karachi Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Noman Bashir categorically said the navy works under the Govt & can only proceed further with their approval. Also in a recent case the pirates did not release the hostages even after receiving the money so there is no guarantee of safe return even if you pay.

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india | 13 years ago | Reply wrong reporting by tribune.half million dollar was raised by an indian living in dubai from his pocket

Ahmed | 13 years ago | Reply Why the government is waiting to pay ransom? They should arrange the Commando action along with the forces of the country in whose waters the Pirates are moving. Follow the United States, and other countries that can do everything to secure their citizens. So why not Pakistan govt??

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