Somali pirates demand $3m ransom to release hostages, including 10 Pakistanis

Pirates reject any third-party negotiations, ask government to speak with them directly

Somali pirates have demanded a ransom of three million dollars for the release of seventeen hostages, including ten Pakistanis.

During ongoing communication between the pirates and the Ansar Burney Trust, the pirate leader sent a WhatsApp message on Monday stating for the first time that the release of all hostages, the ship, and its cargo would only be possible if they were paid three million dollars. The pirates refused any reduction in the amount or any negotiations.

Qurrat-ul-Ain Advocate, director of the Ansar Burney Trust, said that the contact took place on Monday.

The pirates denied recent reports claiming they had demanded ten million dollars. They also distanced themselves from a man named Usman, who had been presented in the media as the ship’s owner and allegedly linked to the ten-million-dollar demand. According to Qurrat-ul-Ain Advocate, the pirates rejected any third-party negotiations and asked the Pakistani government to speak with them directly.

Read More: Hostage crew's video surfaces after 26 days in pirate captivity

The oil tanker Honour 25, sailing under the Somali flag from Oman to Somalia, was hijacked by pirates on the 21st of last month. There were 17 crew members aboard, 10 of whom were Pakistani nationals. The families of the Pakistani hostages have continuously appealed to the government for the safe release of their loved ones.

Families of the Pakistani hostage crew members of the Oil Products Tanker the HONOUR 25 that was hijacked by pirates off the coast of Somalia, hold placards during a protest, calling the government to take immediate action for the safe return of their loved ones, in Karachi, Pakistan May 13, 2026. REUTERS

According to the pirates, countries including Sri Lanka and India are in contact with them regarding their seven hostages, but they did not confirm any communication from Pakistan. Meanwhile, Pakistani authorities say they are in contact with both the pirates and the Somali government to secure the release of the Pakistani hostages.

صومالی بحری قزاقوں نے پاکستانیوں سمیت 17 یرغمالیوں کی نئی ویڈیو جاری کردی
یرغمالی پاکستانی شہری یوسف حسین کی حکومت پاکستان سے اپیل
یہ لوگ ابلے چاول اور ٹینک کا گندہ پانی پینے کے لیے دے رہے ہیں،بہت مشکل میں جلد سے جلد قزاقوں سے مزاکرات کریں ،ویڈیو میں بھاری اسلحے سے لیس قزاق بھی… pic.twitter.com/1IcDJ2jPCV

— Shahid Hussain (@ShahidHussainJM) May 15, 2026

In video and audio messages, the Pakistani hostages reported that food supplies and medicines on the ship had run out. They said they were being given only one serving of boiled rice per day.

Clean drinking water has also run out, forcing the hostages to drink contaminated water, which is causing illnesses among them.