Pakistani hostages held by Somali pirates release new distress message seeking govt help

Over a hundred days after being seized by Somali pirates, crew members aboard the oil tanker MT Honour 25 have issued a fresh distress call, directly appealing to the Pakistani government for assistance. The Palau-flagged vessel, carrying 17 to 19 crew members, including ten Pakistanis, was hijacked off the coast of Puntland, Somalia on April 21.

To date, no progress has been made in ransom negotiations or securing the hostages' release, as their well-being continues to deteriorate. In videos seen by Dawn, the hostages appear weak and ill, expressing their dire situation to the Pakistani government. Yasir Khan, a Pakistani hostage, recounted the crew's declining health, with many falling ill and lacking access to necessary medication.

He urged the government, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, and Maritime Affairs Minister Junaid Anwar Chaudhry to intervene before their health worsened further, and appealed to Jamaat-i-Islami chief Hafiz Naeemur Rehman for assistance. Another hostage, Hussain Yousuf, emphasized the prolonged uncertainty, requesting Prime Minister Sharif, Chief of Defence Forces, and Chief of the Army Staff to take action before "very bad news" arrives.

Foreign Office spokesperson Tahir Andrabi expressed deep concern over the lack of progress, noting the complexity of the situation due to the pirates holding the hostages in an autonomous region of Somalia. He highlighted the challenges in negotiating with the captors, including tribal dynamics and the influence of various figures in Somali society.

Andrabi reassured that Pakistan is in constant communication with Somalia's government and international organizations, committing to making all possible efforts for the hostages' safe return.