Piracy hostages due to return home by June 8

Ransom money to be paid by June 2.


Express May 26, 2011

ADEN: Pakistani sailors being held hostage by Somali pirates are due to be realeased and return home by June 8.

Social Activist Ansar Burney, who is involved in the negotiation process with the pirates, has said that that he will be arriving in Aden, Yemen today. He also said that arrangements for the return of the Pakistani sailors have been finalised.

The ransom amount of $2.18 million demanded by the pirates will be paid by June 2. Burney said that the release of sailors will be secured in three to four days, following which all hostages will return to Pakistan.

He asserted that the final strategy for the release, involving transfer of funds and transporting the hostages to a safe port, had been chalked out in a meeting with the Red Sea Navigation Company.

Burney also revealed that due to the unrest in Yemen, the hostages might go to a foreign port. The hostages were due to be secured and brought to the Yemeni port city of Aden following their release.

Somali pirates had overtaken the Egyptian merchant ship in August 2010. Their hostages include four Pakistani sailors, including the captain. There are five Indian sailors, one Sri Lankan, and 11 Egyptian sailors.

On Tuesday, unconfirmed reports emanating from the area bore shocking news that one of the Egyptian sailors had been set on fire causing serious injuries as the pirate’s May 22 deadline crossed.

Pirates had demanded a ransom of $2.1 million of which the Egyptian shipping company, which owns the ship was due to pay $1 million. Pakistan was due to arrange $600, 000 while India was to contribute the remaining $500,000. However Indian Senator, K. D. Singh backed out of his promise at the last minute putting in jeopardy the lives of all 21 hostages. Pakistan, thanks to the efforts of the Ansar Burney and Sindh Governor Dr Ishrat ul Ibad Khan managed to raise the remaining amount thereby saving the sailors.

 

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