KARACHI:
Pakistan may opt to cut a deal with Somali pirates for the release of its seven nationals out of the total 22 crew held hostage on board the Malaysian Flagship MV Albedo.
The crew’s fate hangs in the balance as the Pakistani side, led by the Citizens Police Liaison Committee chief Ahmed Chinoy, and Malaysian state body’s Security Council officials squabble over how much money each side should pay, The Express Tribune has learnt.
The lack of trust between the two sides has come to the point where there is a disagreement even over how the money would be eventually handed over to the pirates.
Senior Malaysian officials, CPLC chief Chinoy and representatives of Somali pirates were in Dubai until last week to cut a deal which didn’t materialise.
Of all 22 hostages, seven each are from Pakistan and Bangladesh, six from Sri Lanka, and one each from India and Iran. One Indian sailor has already died since the vessel was captured in November 2010.
The pirates had demanded $10 million dollar in ransom. The amount has, however, been reduced to $2.85 million since.
Pressure
Chinoy is under pressure from the families of Pakistani sailors to get their men freed first using the amount collected in Pakistan if other states involved do not agree with his terms.
When the pirates learnt that Pakistan has collected around $1million, they piled pressure on Chinoy to transfer the money. Chinoy has resisted the pressure, thus far.
Scam?
According to two letters shared by the vessel’s Iranian owner, Chinoy had written on March 19 that “On our part we are making arrangements to have $1.6 million to be ready on April 10.”
He requested the owner to arrange the rest of the amount.
On April 16, a countrywide campaign began in Pakistan to collect money for the ransom. Humanitarian Abdul Sattar Edhi donated Rs2.5 million. However, the campaign could muster around $200,000, which was well short of the $1.6 million target, according to the CPLC.
However, a Pakistani businessman promised to donate
Rs130 million (approximately $1.4 million) to cover the deficit.
The CPLC chief claimed that the businessman donated about $875,000 instead of the promised $1.4 million.
The businessman had donated a total of Rs160 million for securing the release of Pakistani crew of two ships – MV Suez and MV Albedo, his spokesperson clarified.
Social worker Ansar Burney, who was at the forefront in the MV Suez case, said the businessman had contributed Rs10 million for the release of the hostages.
If the businessman donated Rs10 million in the MV Suez case, the CPLC chief still should have Rs150 million ($1.6 million) from the businessman’s contribution. Chinoy, however, denies any wrongdoing.
The CPLC chief says he never made a ‘final commitment’ of $1.6 million to the Malaysian side.
He showed copies of letters dated in April and June, where it was agreed between him and the Malaysian side that Pakistan would provide $1.1 million, while the rest would be arranged by them.
Dispute
The vessel owner, however, believes Chinoy was involved in ‘fishy business’ and blamed him for the Malaysian side’s hesitation to support the deal.
“There is a $500,000 difference between $1.1 million and $1.6 million. Where did this money go,” Omid Khosrojerid asked.
While Chinoy tried to convince the Malaysian side that $1.1 million was all he was able to arrange, they reminded him of the agreement which he had signed.
Although the Malaysian side didn’t give an assurance that they would pay the rest of the money, it has now demanded Chinoy to transfer $1.1 million into their account so that they could secure the release of the hostages. However, Khosrojerdi said in an email that “Ahmed has refused to transfer the money to the Malaysian embassy in Dubai.”
The Malaysian officials had set Chinoy a deadline for the money transfer – which has lapsed when the three sides were engaged in negotiations in Dubai.
Chinoy, who has transferred part of the ransom to a money changer in Nairobi, refused to transfer the money when the Malaysian side said they could not guarantee the crew’s safety.
Pakistan’s High Commissioner to Malaysia Masood Khalid defended Chinoy and castigated the vessel owner. “Who knows the motives of Omid Khosrojerdi, who is making allegations?”
Published in The Express Tribune, July 10th, 2012.
COMMENTS (15)
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Ha! It is getting involved to save lives, for the sake of humanity! Believe it, there are some good people in this world-Pakistan zindabad! why is the owner so interested in the money? the families collected that money. Whether it was 1.1 or 1.6.. atleast they did something. Where is the owner's contribution in this? Isn't this a Malaysian flagged ship? Why did he send his ship without being insured? Isn't that against the law? did he not think once abt his crew?? What evidence is there that ship is really not insured? I think the owner is the one involved in fishy business. Whoever wrote this article, shame on you for suspecting your own ppl.
Margaret Thatcher;"We do not negotiate with thugs, goons or terrorists", when the Faulkland islands had been seized by guerrilla forces from another country. In response, the British Navy launched warships and sent its military, winning a two month long siege, despite opposition. 'I am responsible,my government is responsible for the protection of British land and its people'. What is the point of our military and our navy if they cannot protect their people? The CPLC cannot alone work on a sophisticated and international criminal case that requires elegant marine, military and nautical expertise. The Pakistani navy and military is urgently required, meeting the criminals conditions may well give them another green light.
“There is a $500,000 difference between $1.1 million and $1.6 million. Where did this money go,” Omid Khosrojerid "Malaysian Owner" asked.
Why he asked this Question? he have no rights to blame any Pakistani because Pakistani families and CPLC Chief Mr. Ahmed Chinoy (with the permission and support Governor of Sindh) are doing efforts for the releasing of Malaysian Flag Cargo Ship MV Albedo crew for the humanitarian basis.
Can anybody asked the question to ship owner that why you don't play your roll for the releasing of 22 crew + 1 expired members since 20 months?
Can anybody asked the question to related authorities of flag ship, why the linger on in that particular case, their is no Malaysian national on the hijacked ship that's why?
Finally, I am proud to be a Pakistani because Pakistan doing efforts for saving humanity without profit or loss basis. Salam Pakistan.
There are lives at stake here. Has anyone even thought about the ramifications of an article like this? What happens when the pirates read this? To us these are just words, but those soul-less pirates have hostages; those hostages are actual people - it's someone's father, brother, husband. I am astonished at the level of nonchalance with which this article has been written.
The Malaysian owner has done absolutely nothing to help while Pakistani women and children have taken to the streets and begged. And now, he has the audacity to say that the CPLC guy has mismanaged funds?! Unbelievable. Ask him to fork his half of the money then talk about fraud.
Very disappointed to read this considering Pakistan has shown efforts towards this case yet they r the ones who r being targeted in conspiracy theories. Whereas the owner of the ship has not been able to materialize anything for the crew or affected families...??
Where is our much vaunted military on which we spend billions? Why have they not mounted an attack on the pirates? Other countries do not negotiate, they free their citizens. What is the use of all the money we spend on the military if it is ineffective in just such a situation.
Firstly we should not negotiate with terrorist and hostage takers. Secondly these Somalis have not harmed anyone yet, professional negotiators of the insurance companies must be employed. Thirdly, while the Malaysian owners are mostly responsible, the charterers, National Line of Iran IRISL/HDS was also stupid trying to sail a vessel with a top speed of 12 knots into pirate infested waters and they should also be accountable. Fourthly it seems eminently possible local "businessmen" are running a scam to make money of this situation. None of the media has researched the inside story so I strongly suspect fraud.
Once you pay you set yourself up for further hostage situations -- but you know that. In the long run it maybe cheaper to use your military and get rid of these pirates - American's seem to have sent the proper message to these pirates maybe Pakistan should do the same.
It is the owner's responsibility to get the ship released.Pakistani families and businessman have done enough, whatever the amount is. Children and women had to come on the road to raise money. Where is the owner's contribution in this??? What has he done so far??If anything, he should be grateful to Pakistan, have some dignity and pay the rest of the money and get the crew released asap.
Once you get the hostages, sink them. Honor is fiction to those pirates and they're going to do it again if it works.
Too much confusion! Even I am confused.
Cash deals makes everybody a savage beast