Pakistan successfully repatriates 11 nationals, 20 Iranians from US-seized vessel: Dar
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar briefs members of the diplomatic corps at the Foreign Office in Islamabad on the first anniversary of “Marka-e-Haq” on Tuesday. Photo: X/ FO
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar said on Friday that Pakistan had successfully repatriated 11 Pakistani nationals alongside 20 Iranian nationals who were aboard a vessel seized by the United States in the high seas.
“I am pleased to share that we have been successful in repatriating 11 Pakistani nationals, alongside 20 nationals from our brotherly country, Iran, through Singapore, who were aboard vessels seized in the high seas by the United States,” Dar said in a post on X.
He said all the individuals were in good health and high spirits, adding that the welfare and well-being of Pakistanis abroad, particularly those in distress, remained the government’s highest priority.
Alhamdolillah, I am pleased to share that we have been successful in the repatriation of 11 Pakistani nationals, alongside 20 nationals of our brotherly country Iran, through Singapore, who were aboard vessels seized in the high seas by the United States.
All individuals are in…The foreign minister said all the individuals, including the Pakistanis and Iranians aboard, had safely reached Singapore.
“All individuals have reached Bangkok from Singapore and already boarded the flight scheduled to reach Islamabad later tonight,” he said.
Dar added that after arriving in Islamabad, the Iranian nationals would be facilitated in returning to their homeland.
Also Read: 22 Iranian crew repatriated via Pakistan
The deputy prime minister appreciated the efforts of his Singaporean counterpart, Vivian Balakrishnan, and thanked the prime minister and government of Singapore for their continued support and engagement throughout the process.
He also thanked FM Abbas Araghchi for reposing trust in Pakistan for the repatriation of the Iranian nationals.
Dar further expressed gratitude to US Secretary of State Marco Rubio for close coordination in facilitating the smooth return of the 31 Pakistani and Iranian nationals.
The deputy prime minister also acknowledged the efforts of his Thai counterpart, Sihasak Phuangketkeow, for facilitating the transit of the individuals through Bangkok at Pakistan’s request.
“My heartfelt thanks to my colleagues at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Interior, and Pakistan’s Missions in Singapore and Thailand for their timely coordination and dedicated efforts, ensuring the smooth, safe, and successful completion of the repatriation process,” he concluded.
US authorities’ seizure of vessels near Singaporean waters, aboard which were 11 Pakistani and 20 Iranian seafarers, prompted Ishaq Dar to seek Singapore’s assistance in facilitating the welfare and repatriation of the detained seafarers.
Earlier this month, Pakistan facilitated the transfer of 22 Iranian crew members held aboard the MV Touska, which was seized by the United States.
In a statement posted on X, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the individuals were flown to Pakistan “last night and will be handed over to Iranian authorities today.”
On February 28, the US and Israel launched a joint offensive on Iran, and Tehran retaliated with strikes on Israel and other regional countries hosting US assets.
The war has been on hold since April 8, when Pakistan mediated a two-week ceasefire. Following the ceasefire, Pakistan hosted the highest-level US-Iran talks since the 1979 Islamic Revolution, which ended in Islamabad last weekend without agreement, but the ceasefire was held.
Despite the ceasefire, the US started intercepting Iranian ships.
Iran later blocked nearly all ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz apart from its own as Trump imposed a separate blockade of Iranian ports. The closure of the Strait, a chokepoint for about 20% of global oil and liquefied natural gas shipments, resulted in a phenomenal rise in global oil prices.