Families of Pakistani hostages demand urgent action for release from Somali pirates

Relatives of 10 Pakistani sailors being held captive by Somali pirates staged a protest outside the Karachi Press Club,

KARACHI: Relatives of 10 Pakistani sailors being held captive by Somali pirates staged a protest outside the Karachi Press Club, calling on the government to intensify diplomatic efforts to secure their safe release.

The demonstration was organized by Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) and was attended by a large number of family members of the abducted crew. Protesters expressed deep concern over the continued captivity of their loved ones, who have been held hostage for nearly two months.

The crew members were aboard the vessel MT Honour 25, which was hijacked by Somali pirates near the semi-autonomous Puntland region on April 21. The ship was carrying 17 crew members, including 10 Pakistani nationals, at the time of the attack.

During the protest, participants urged the government to take immediate and effective diplomatic measures to ensure the safe return of the hostages. They stressed that safeguarding the lives and security of Pakistani citizens is a fundamental responsibility of the state and called for urgent action to resolve the crisis.

Speaking on the occasion, acting Jamaat-e-Islami Karachi Emir Saifuddin Advocate emphasized the need for the government to demonstrate greater seriousness and accelerate its diplomatic engagement regarding the matter. He noted that JI chief Hafiz Naeemur Rehman had also demanded the immediate release of the kidnapped Pakistanis and assured families that the party would continue advocating for their cause until the hostages were freed.

At the conclusion of the demonstration, participants passed a resolution urging the federal government, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and other relevant institutions to strengthen coordination with the Somali government, international organizations, and all stakeholders involved in the negotiations.

The resolution also called for the establishment of a dedicated task force focused on securing the hostages’ release. In addition, it demanded that authorities provide regular updates to the affected families regarding progress in negotiations and recovery efforts.

The protest followed the emergence of a new video earlier this week featuring several Pakistani crew members held aboard the hijacked vessel. In the footage, the hostages appealed directly to the Pakistani government for immediate assistance and intervention.

Syed Kashif Umar, the ship’s second officer, stated in the video that the Pakistani crew members had been held captive by Somali pirates for 57 days. He appealed to authorities to take swift steps for their release, highlighting the worsening conditions onboard.

According to Umar, food supplies were running critically low, while several crew members had fallen ill during captivity. He also alleged that the vessel’s owners were unwilling to engage in meaningful negotiations with the pirates, further complicating efforts to resolve the situation.

The ship’s Indonesian captain also issued an appeal to his government, seeking support for the safe recovery of all crew members.

Last week, Pakistan’s Foreign Office reiterated its commitment to securing the release of the Pakistani nationals. Officials said the government remained actively engaged in efforts aimed at ensuring their safe return.

Diplomatic sources revealed that MT Honour 25 remains anchored off the Somali coast while negotiations continue. The Somali government is reportedly communicating with the pirates through the vessel’s owner in an attempt to reach a settlement.

Sources added that the pirates initially demanded a ransom of $10 million but later reduced their demand to $4 million. Despite ongoing discussions, no significant breakthrough has yet been achieved, leaving the hostages and their families anxiously awaiting a resolution.