Summary
- Speaking during the National Assembly session, Chaudhry said the issue of 10 Pakistanis allegedly being held by Somali pirates had already been discussed in the House.
- He said the government was using diplomatic channels in Djibouti and London to address the situation.
- The minister said the government was closely monitoring the situation and would continue diplomatic efforts to resolve the matter as quickly as possible.
Federal Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Tariq Fazal Chaudhry has challenged Pakistan Peoples Party lawmakers to verify the National Assembly record before making allegations against the government.
Speaking during the National Assembly session, Chaudhry said the issue of 10 Pakistanis allegedly being held by Somali pirates had already been discussed in the House.
He said he was ready to resign if his statement was proved wrong. However, he challenged those accusing him to resign if the official record supported his position.
“If I am wrong, I will resign. Otherwise, they should resign,” the minister said.
Chaudhry said 10 Pakistani nationals were reportedly in the custody of pirates in Somalia. He explained that Pakistan does not have diplomatic relations with Somalia, making efforts to secure the release of the hostages more complicated.
He said the government was using diplomatic channels in Djibouti and London to address the situation. The Foreign Office is also actively working on the matter, he added.
The minister stressed that the government was making every possible effort to secure the safe release of the Pakistanis.
He said the authorities were dealing with the issue through proper diplomatic channels. He also rejected any suggestion that the government was making unsupported claims.
Chaudhry further explained that the vessel was located in an area where the Somali government does not exercise effective control. He said Palau was also not taking responsibility for the vessel.
According to the minister, Somali pirates have demanded a ransom of $3 million for the release of those on board.
He warned that paying the ransom could encourage similar incidents in the future. He said such payments could create an incentive for pirates to target more vessels.
Chaudhry added that four other ships had reportedly been hijacked after the incident involving the Pakistani nationals.
The minister said the government was closely monitoring the situation and would continue diplomatic efforts to resolve the matter as quickly as possible.
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