Dar urges IMO chief to secure release of Pakistani crew

ISLAMABAD:

Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar on Monday called for urgent intervention by the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) to secure the release of 10 Pakistani seafarers held aboard the MT Honour 25.

He made the request during a meeting with IMO Secretary General Arsenio Dominguez, according to a statement issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA).

Ten Pakistani sailors, who have been held hostage since April, are among the crew of the MT Honour 25, a Palau-flagged oil tanker that was hijacked by armed pirates off the coast of Puntland, Somalia.

Besides the Pakistani crew members, the hostages include seven Indonesians, including the captain, as well as an Indian and a Sri Lankan. There has been no progress either in negotiations or the payment of the ransom, said to be around $3 million.

The statement said Dar met Dominguez in London, where he reaffirmed Pakistan's longstanding commitment to the IMO and appreciated its role as the principal international regulatory body for safe, secure and efficient international shipping.

"FM Dar highlighted Pakistan's continued efforts to strengthen maritime governance, implement international maritime standards, and further develop its blue economy," it said.

The statement said that the two sides also discussed further strengthening Pakistan-IMO cooperation in maritime safety, security, regulatory reforms, and the development of Pakistan's maritime sector.

Dar arrived in London on Sunday to undertake a five-day official visit to the United Kingdom from August 24-28. During the visit, he is due to meet UK Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband and the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office minister of state for Pakistan, Stephen Doughty, as well as other senior UK government officials.

The DPM/FM will also meet Commonwealth Secretary-General Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey.