Govt steps up bid to free crew held hostage by Somali pirates

Pakistan has stepped up diplomatic efforts to secure the release of 11 Pakistani seamen held hostage by Somali pirates as Maritime Affairs Minister Junaid Anwar Chaudhry on Monday discussed the situation with Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar.

He stressed the need for urgent action to ensure the crew’s safe return.

According to a statement issued by the Ministry of Maritime Affairs, Chaudhry held a telephone conversation with Ishaq Dar and also contacted Pakistan’s envoy in Somalia to review ongoing efforts.

The statement said both sides underscored the need to accelerate measures aimed at securing the crew’s swift and safe release.

“Need to expedite efforts for the fast and safe release of the Pakistani crew was stressed,” the ministry said.

The statement quoted Chaudhry as saying that efforts to secure the seamen’s release began immediately after authorities received information about the hijacking in April.

“We remain in touch with the Pakistan foreign ministry and the Somalian embassy,” he said, adding that the government was continuing efforts to ensure the safe return of the hostages.

The latest developments come days after Foreign Office spokesperson Tahir Andrabi said Islamabad remained “actively engaged” in efforts to secure the release of the Pakistani seafarers.

“Unfortunately, the situation remains grave,” Andrabi acknowledged while responding to a question during the Foreign Office’s weekly briefing.

“Pakistan remains in contact with the ship owner, who is the principal negotiator with the pirates. These negotiations have been taking place with the knowledge of the Somali government,” the FO spokesperson stated.

He explained that the “geographical circumstances, coupled with the fact that the ship is carrying highly explosive cargo, make any law-enforcement operation to secure the release of the captives extremely difficult”, stressing that Pakistan did not want to jeopardise the safety of those being held.

The Foreign Office has also urged both the Somali government and the ship owner to ensure that the hostages are provided with food, drinking water and other basic necessities while negotiations continue.

The Pakistani crew members have been in captivity for more than a month after armed pirates hijacked the MT Honour 25 off Somalia’s southeastern coast on April 21. The vessel’s 11 Pakistani crew members remain hostage as negotiations for their release continue.