Pakistan

Ansar Burney urges govt to take action on Somali pirates case

Human rights activist and family to meet Sindh governor.

Express April 28, 2011

Human rights activist Ansar Burney on Thursday asked the government to take action against the pirates who are holding four Pakistanis hostage, if it is not willing to pay the ransom.

Burney expressed fears that the pirates may harm the Pakistanis if the ransom is not paid by May 9. He was speaking at the house of Captain Wasi, the naval captain currently in the captivity of Somali pirates.

Burney is expected to meet the Sindh governor Dr Ishratul Ibad later today (Thursday) along with the families of the four Pakistanis kidnapped by Somali pirates.

Earlier, Burni was speaking at the house of one of the abducted, Captain Wasi.

Captain Wasi's wife said that Indian film Director Mahish Bhatt had offered his full support to get the four released.

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, had offered $1 million, while an international NGO announced $500,000 for the release.

COMMENTS (11)

saqib | 13 years ago | Reply @aman: but late on he did not pay a single dollar however Mr. Barni didi it

hifzan | 13 years ago | Reply @Captain Najeeb Anwar

               Hey, mr Captain Najeeb your provide actual ground realities and proper facts and figures about the activities of pirates, which increases our knowledge as you are well experienced captain and know all thing much better rather than a layman.

Thanks again removing the misconception about the image which was decreasing the skill of Pak Navy. Captain uncle , as you are much more experienced and learned person in maritime field, so can you please further give suggestions and advice to stop such bad pirates activities in future. All you shared with us was greatly informative. Fi Amaan Allah

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Capt Najeeb Anwar | 13 years ago | Reply I was readinfg the comments of the people, regarding Pakistan Navy Failour, just for ur information, the people who are Hijacking the Merchant ship's are very well trained,as a fighter, as a navigator and also very well equiped, have automatic Machine guns, RPG's and Manouver in boats with speed upto 25 kts means 46 km/hrs speed. Once Hijacker Board some vessel then only God can save the crew of that vessel, Navy / Army / Air force can not Help the crew of that vessel, As all the crew is on there GUN POINT, Any Single move of getting them release by using foce can loose there lives, If any navy ship get close to the Hijacked ship, Hijackers Through the Captain of Hijacked ship advice navel ships to stay away or they will kill all Hostages and the poor Captain of vessel ask the Navel ship to stay away to save the life of his crew. The point to object is that there is a big Colation Forces Fleet is Manouvering in the area, they are pin pointing Mother ships from where these Hijackers Skiffs been lowed, who are attacking Inocent Merchant Vessels who dont have even single gun onboard. these Navel ships are spread in area from Gulf of Aden to Arabian Sea and in Indian Ocean, Now the Hijackers are Manouvering in Area 20 dig North 069 dig East and upto 18 dig South. So please dont blame Pakistan Navy, Combact Action means Loosing the Lives of Person been Hijacked. I hope these Comments Clear many things. I pray for Capt.Wasi and other thay get released soon (Ameen), And request all to pray for safety of our lives because we are the one who pass these region every now-and-then. may god almighty keep all seamans in his Hifzo Aman.

Aristo | 13 years ago | Reply The Pak Navy has failed to keep their officers safe, they are being targeted like sitting ducks. How can one expect them to have the courage to go and save Pak and other civilians. Every body concerned must plead the Danish Navy to launch another life saving operation as there is no value of Pakistani lives in the eyes of Pakistani forces.

Irfan Ali | 13 years ago | Reply Outstanding work by Burney! Though it would have been very nice if the Pakistani and Indian navies launched a joint mission to rescue the hostages...would have sent a strong message and brought the two countries closer

Noble Tufail | 13 years ago | Reply they are the Pakistani citizens in open waters. they need to be rescued. the state has the responsibility to get them home safe. Good work Ansaar Burni... Good work team Tribune ... God bless the dubai based businessman with kind heart. Rehman Malik to please put it on priority.

John | 13 years ago | Reply Perhaps this is an opportunity for India and PAK navy to do joint exercise to extract the hostages. PAK should follow the American and Indian example and go after these pirates. They are not going away and once you begin to pay, there is no end. What use is navy if it cannot be used for rescue, Somalia does not have any sovereignty rights and no one will even bother to look. All aboard?

Qaisar | 13 years ago | Reply how poor our political leaders and government that they did nothing for those poor people,even miss Ferdous Ashiq Awan said its none of our business to give ransom to the pirates, hope people like Ansar Burni and common people will come forward to help.

AA | 13 years ago | Reply In Balochistan, the kidnappers give a fair amount of money to those who is a "go between". Some notorious politician cum so called sardars play the dubious role. Hope fully Ansar Burney is not a go between!!!

aman | 13 years ago | Reply International NGO who funded y 5 lak dollar is not NGO but a hindu business man in dubai who offered money after seeing the little girl video!!

Hedgefunder | 13 years ago | Reply What action can the Govt take? They are not capable of providing safety of its own people on its own land, let alone venture out in high seas to save and protect its seaman!!!!

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