FM Dar urges IMO chief to help secure release of Pakistani crew held by Somali pirates
DPM Dar meets IMO secretary general, appreciates body role for safe, secure and efficient international shipping
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar met with the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) Secretary General Arsenio Dominguez on Monday in London. Dar pleaded for the IMO to intervene swiftly to secure the release of 10 Pakistani seafarers held hostage on the MT Honour 25, an oil tanker hijacked by Somali pirates since April.
The hostages comprise the crew members, seven Indonesians, an Indian, and a Sri Lankan, with the ransom reportedly set at $3 million. Despite ongoing negotiations, no progress has been made. During the meeting, Dar reaffirmed Pakistan's long-standing commitment to the IMO and acknowledged its crucial role as the global regulatory entity for secure and efficient maritime shipping.
The two parties also discussed enhancing Pakistan-IMO collaboration in maritime safety, security, regulatory reforms, and the advancement of Pakistan's blue economy.
Written by urgent.news from The Express Tribune - Pakistan's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
