The Malaysian flag bearing vessel had been hijacked by Somali pirates in November 2010. Held hostage, they had demanded $10 million for their safe release. However, after months of negotiations, efforts of Sindh Governor Isratul Ibad along with intelligence agencies and Citizen-Police Liaison Committee chief Ahmed Chinoy and a generous donation from Bahria Town CEO Malik Riaz helped pay $1 million to cover pirates' costs for holding the hostages. The payment, which the Governor was forceful in clarifying was not ransom, led to the release the Pakistani men. The remaining crew remain in captivity.
“We were barely alive there. Our country demonstrated the most effort to get us released,” said another returning sailor.
As they landed in Karachi after having travelled from Nigeria via Dubai, where they had been shifted after being released, some thanked the Almighty by prostrating on solid Pakistani ground.
They were welcomed at the Karachi Airport by Sindh Governor Dr Ishratul Ibad, Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah, Federal Minister Babar Khan Ghauri, Provincial Minister for Information Sharjeel Memon and other leaders of the Pakistan Peoples Party and the Muttahida Qaumi Movement, besides their relatives.
“Its like we have gotten out of a flood and on to land,” one sailor described the feeling of returning to safety of the motherland.
The sailors were then taken to the Governor House Karachi where there was a reception was held in their honour, before they returned to their individual families.
Joy to be home
Returning home for the first time after being his 22 month ordeal in a Somali pirate holding camp ended, Chief Officer Mujtaba radiated the joy he felt. “I cannot express in words the joy I feel at seeing my children again” he beamed, as he held his loved ones close to his bosom.
Mujtaba’s young daughter, who clung tightly to her fathers leg, urged him to not take a job on a ship again. “Don’t go on a ship,” a smiling HIra pleaded.
Sindh Governor Ishratul Ibad said that they could not imagine the ordeal suffered by the men nor their families.
“When we got involved in the process we chanced a glimpse of that pain,” he said adding that due to the relation of humanity, they continued to press on with the mission of recovering the hostages.
“All stakeholders will have to work to resolve this,” the Governor said of action against the pirates.
COMMENTS (12)
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@Mohd Butt: No their were no mishandling of funds... Also, "Whoever helped them to bring back home, God bless them all" let me tell you their names: Sindh Governor Isratul Ibad, Ahmed Chinoy, Malik Riaz, Ansar Burney and their team, start appreciating by identifying...
@B+: Do you think there were no mishandling of funds of ransom?
Welcome home! I'm really happy that they have come back to their families, but at the same time, I'm worried the the payment of ransom has set a bad precedent...
Welcome Home!!!
Whoever helped them to bring back home, God bless them all. Welcome home, enjoy the freedom and pray to Allah.
Ready to pay another ransom amount, because Somali pirates will soon kidnapped more Pakistan. They have got good customer "Pakistanis".
Mr Ishrat ul Ibad, CPLC Chief, Malik Riaz and Mr Zardari, they have money to pay to these Pirates... but they don't have money to pay dues of IPB (for energy sector) to build schools, and for health sector.
Why we can't take action against these pirates... Oh sorry I forget we can't even shoot drones, can't stop sectarian killings, kidnappings, bhata's/parchis, target killings etc.
@aq.inqalabi: The Ishrat Ibad clique has obviously widened their scope beyond the borders of the country. Imagine Somalis found Ishrat Ibad or indirectly Altaf Hussain to bring stacks of millions of US dollar to hand over to them and get the hostages back. Incredible isn't it?? Don't worry the international agencies must be stealthily observing the gang of extortionist and blackmailers. Imagine Altaf Hussain phoning his twin brother Asif Zardari demanding action against extortion in Karachi, This is another joke.
Well done Governor Sindh Dr. Ishratul Ibad you are a gem... @observer(UK): you are such a looser...
@observer (UK): "Nekee karo darya main dalo" describes your comment as best. We should be grateful that there are at least some from amongst those in power who had the heart to make an effort and help and be forthcoming, even though they did not have direct responsibility. Thank you to Ansar Burney, CPLC, Ishratul Ibad, and all else who worked for these families.
Congratulation to hostages and their families. They definitely got a second lease of life.
And all credit goes to Gov Ibad, CPLC Chief and others involved in task. This is rare positive coming out of Pakistan, while other countries continue to abandon their nationals, Pakistan has not forgotten its nationals.
@observer(UK) plzzzzzzzzz learn to appreciate , its v easy to sit n find conspiracy theories in ev thing! Respect!
I am pleased that the hostages have been released and they are back with their families. However, I am rather curious that why it Ishrat Ibad and CPLC chief and Ansar Burney are involved. What makes Ishrat Ibad involved in transaction 'ransom' money??? This is definitely fishy here. Why these three gentleman when in real sense the government should be the one which should be invlolved..