Seven Pakistan hostages onboard merchant ship MV Albedo, which has been in the captivity of Somali pirates since November 2010, have been released and would be reaching Karachi Thursday night, announced Sindh Governor Ishratul Ebad at a press conference late Wednesday night.
According to the governor, the seven Pakistanis were taken to Nairobi after their release. The remaining 15 crewmembers, including seven Bangladeshis, six Sri Lankans, one Indian and an Iranian remain in pirates’ custody.
The Somali pirates had demanded Rs320 million for the release of the crew and vessel, which was captured in the Indian Ocean. The Pakistani government had agreed to pay Rs160 million. The remaining amount was to be paid by the Malaysian government since the vessel is owned by a Malaysian citizen. However, it is unclear how much money was paid in the end for the Pakistani hostages’ release.
Zardari welcomes release
President Asif Ali Zardari has welcomed the release of Pakistani sailors from Somali captivity.
In a telephonic conversation with Governor Sindh Dr Ishratul Ibad late on Wednesday night, the President appreciated and thanked all the individuals, organisations and his Governor for efforts to secure the release of Pakistani nationals.
He said that it was a good omen that the captured Pakistanis will be finally returning home and would be able to celebrate the forthcoming Eid and Independence Day with their families and fellow compatriots.
The President reiterated the need for joint effort against such elements so that such incidents of abduction could be avoided in the future.
Published in The Express Tribune, August 2nd, 2012.
COMMENTS (21)
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Great effort and work done by Ishrat Ul Ibad, Our Governor is a Top man. I Salute you..... :)
@Navaid: Really? Like they say "it takes a thief to catch a thief".
@B+: Paying a ransom is not the right thing to do. All it does is encourage more kidnapping. But I guess you know that.
@Parvez: The second comment under my name is not my comment. ET kindly note the misuse of my identity.
where is our Pak Navy. I seen in past that rich countries navy making commando action on these somali pirates and freeing their citizens but not paying ransom but why we are paying them. I think we have to dipatch our navy and SSG force in international water to take care of our ships and citizens who are passing near soamlia just like other countries have navy there and they are helping them when the prirates attack them
All thanks to Governor, the most capable, loving person and a very good human being.
@Navaid:
Clearly you missed out the Musharraf era when half the core commanders were Muhajirs as well as many people at important places.
While President Zardari ordered the Governor to manage the whole affair and Malik Riaz to make payment you think its somehow a feat of the governor on account of his ethnicity.
@Navaid
Typical, divisive thinking from mindless bigots. This land belongs to all Pakistanis, whether native or whose forefathers migrated. It is divisive thoughts like this, which are the root of all troubles in Karachi
Malik Riaz is the main man behind such social issues. He'd helped free people before this incident from Somali Pirates. Here in Pakistan he is being treated as a criminal just because he blew the whistle against Chief Justice of Pakistan's son taking bribes from him supposedly to help him influence the outcome of many cases of land grabbing filed against him in the Supreme Court of Pakistan.
Thank God. Happy Independence to all these 7 Pakistani hostages.
Allah ka shukar hai! i hope that the remaining sailors get to go home soon too!
Thanks to Malik Riaz of Bahria Town for contributing bulk of money.
Its a happy ending for the seven sailors but paying ransom just encourages this crime. Another solution must be thought about, like @Spud has suggested, why not use force ?
Given we have such great and well endowed forces, shouldn't we have our NAVY have presence in the sea to provide assistance?
Cannot have a better chance to practice live-sea action!
Where are the drones?
This is the second time that heavy amount of ransom has been paid to get the Pakistani sailors released from Somali pirates.
Pakistani sailors should avoid to go on such routes where they are taken into illegal custody of Somali pirates.
I appreciate the efforts of all those who made the release of Pakistani sailors possible to come back home without the loss of human lives.
If only Allah can fill our entire government and military with Urdu-speaking Mohajirs, Pakistan would be the Asian Superpower. Hats off to Governor Sindh, and the MQM.
When confronted by the Somali pirates why don't the naval ships present in these waters retaliate and blast these pieces of dirt and kill them. this seems the only way to stop them from stopping honest people go about their business. Also why don't the western forces blast their hide outs on land using drones. There seems to be some ulterior motive here. Can any one explain?
Alhamdolillah!! I hope and pray that the remaining other crew members are also released at the earliest.
That is why we love Governer Sindh Dr. Ishratul Ibad...Hats off to you and your team....