Senate seeks answers on compensation after Pakistani sailors die in Puntland operation

Islamabad has told a Senate committee that three Pakistani sailors died during an operation by authorities in Somalia’s semi-autonomous Puntland region to recover an oil tanker seized by pirates

Islamabad has told a Senate committee that three Pakistani sailors died during an operation by authorities in Somalia’s semi-autonomous Puntland region to recover an oil tanker seized by pirates. According to a government report Pakistan was neither consulted nor asked to approve the operation, raising questions about diplomatic coordination the handling of the hostage crisis and compensation for the victims’ families.

The tanker, MT Honour 25 was hijacked off Somalia on April 21, 2026. It was carrying 18,500 barrels of oil and 17 crew members including 10 Pakistanis four Indonesians and one sailor each from Sri Lanka, India and Myanmar. The vessel was registered in Palau and had an Indonesian captain.

The pirates reportedly demanded around $3 million from Pakistan for the crew’s release. The shipowner also held three rounds of negotiations but the hijackers challenged his ownership of the tanker while pursuing ransom payments.

Pakistan refused to pay citing its policy against financing piracy. Instead officials pursued diplomatic contacts local tribal negotiations and insurance arrangements. The Ministry of Maritime Affairs sought diplomatic assistance on April 24 while Pakistan’s embassy in Djibouti and senior government officials engaged with Somali representatives and the shipowner.

By July 3 officials reported that the crew had been held for 73 days. Subsequent meetings recommended escalating the matter diplomatically including discussions with senior Somali officials and the International Maritime Organisation.

However, Puntland authorities eventually launched an operation without consulting Islamabad according to the government brief. The regional maritime police backed by naval and ground forces, announced the tanker’s recovery on September 29. The report recorded five crew deaths including three Pakistanis. Pakistan’s diplomatic mission in Djibouti helped arrange the return of surviving sailors injured crew members and the deceased.

During a hearing of the Senate Functional Committee on Human Rights chaired by Senator Samina Mumtaz Zehri members questioned the prolonged negotiations the timing of diplomatic interventions and the failure to summon Somalia’s ambassador earlier. Officials also faced questions about inconsistencies in the reported casualty and repatriation figures.

Compensation for the affected families was another key concern. Officials said the shipowner had reportedly accepted liability for contractual death benefits estimated at $60,000 per person. Payments could take five to six months while discussions continued with the manning agency and insurance representatives.

Committee members also sought verification of a reported Rs1.25 million assistance announcement by the prime minister. They demanded details of medical expenses unpaid salaries and additional support for survivors who endured months of captivity and psychological distress.

The committee directed officials to submit salary records for the 10 Pakistani sailors covering April to September along with compensation and medical payment details. It also questioned conflicting accounts of protests by families in Karachi and asked authorities to ensure they were treated respectfully.

The committee called for a detailed follow-up report on the rescue operation, deaths, compensation and treatment of the sailors’ families at its next meeting.