Release of sailors delayed due to non-payment of ransom by India: Burney

Burney says despite promises India did not pay the ransom money for the sailors in captivity.

Human rights activist, Ansar Burney said on Monday that the release of the abducted Pakisani sailors in the captivity of Somali pirates has been delayed due to non payment of $500,000 by India.

Burney said Pakistan had arranged $600,000 while the Indian government had to pay the remaining $500,000 for their citizens. He said despite promises India did not pay the money which finally delayed the release of the abducted sailors.

Burney announced he would return to Pakistan from Dubai on Tuesday to arrange the remaining $500,000.

Somali pirates abducted a ship and held 22 sailors including four Pakistani hostages in August last year. They have demanded a ransom of $2.1 million for the release of all the hostages.