Families seek urgent action as Somali pirates hold Pakistani crew

Relatives of kidnapped seafarers say 0-day-silence has deepened fears, urge govt to ensure safe return

KARACHI:

Families of Pakistani crew members of an oil tanker seized by pirates in Somalia have expressed deep concern over the safety of their loved ones, saying 10 days have passed since the hijacking of the vessel and no tangible progress has been made for their recovery.

Addressing a press conference at the Karachi Press Club on Thursday, the relatives said the lives of the kidnapped crew members remain at serious risk amid reported shortages of food and water on board the vessel.

They said the federal government has not directly contacted affected families nor provided any clear update regarding ransom demands or ongoing negotiations. The families urged government authorities to immediately appoint a focal person to maintain communication with them and keep them informed of developments.

The families demanded swift action for the safe recovery and repatriation of the seized Pakistani crew members, saying they are living under extreme mental distress and uncertainty.

According to details shared during the presser, oil tanker MT Honor 25 was hijacked by Somali pirates on April 21 near Somali waters. The 17-member crew includes 10 Pakistani nationals. The vessel is reportedly operated by Worf Chartering, a company registered in Indonesia, while the ship's captain is also said to be Indonesian.

The families said the Pakistani crew includes officers and ratings serving in different capacities, including engineers, oilers, and a fitter. They added that while crew members had previously managed occasional communication with their families, contact has now been disrupted due to their captivity.

The distraught families said they have no confirmed information regarding ransom demands or any formal communication from the pirates.

They appealed to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to take immediate notice of the situation and ensure the safe return of the crew. They also urged Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar to intervene, saying repeated attempts to contact authorities have not yielded any response.

The families further demanded the formation of a high-level committee to handle the case and called for urgent diplomatic efforts to resolve the issue on a priority basis.

They also appealed to the United Nations to take action against rising incidents of maritime piracy and to strengthen international measures for the protection of seafarers.

The families said they have been informed of contacts between Pakistani and Somali authorities and expressed hope that efforts will soon lead to the safe return of their loved ones.