In meeting with IMO chief, Dar calls for 'urgent intervention' for return of Pakistani sailors held by Somali pirates
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar met the International Maritime Organisation’s head and called for “urgent and effective institutional intervention” for the return of 10 Pakistani sailors held captive by Somali pirates, according to a statement issued by the Foreign Office (FO). Dar met IMO Secretary General Arsenio Dominguez in London, where he is on a four-day visit. He also…
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar met with the International Maritime Organisation's head, Arsenio Dominguez, in London, urging for "urgent and effective institutional intervention" to secure the release of 10 Pakistani sailors held captive by Somali pirates, according to a Foreign Office statement. The seafarers were taken hostage on April 21, 2026, by armed pirates who hijacked the MT Honour 25, a Palau-flagged oil tanker.
Despite ongoing negotiations and a ransom of around $3 million, no progress has been made in their recovery, with the crew members reporting a lack of clean water, food, and medicine. The crew comprises 10 Pakistanis, seven Indonesians, an Indian, and a Sri Lankan. Dar emphasized Pakistan's commitment to the IMO and praised its role as the primary international regulatory body for safe, secure, and efficient international shipping.
The two discussed strengthening Pakistan-IMO cooperation in maritime safety, security, regulatory reforms, and the development of Pakistan's maritime sector. Dar's visit to the UK is part of efforts to intensify bilateral trade engagement and strengthen business-to-business cooperation between the two nations.
Written by urgent.news from Dawn - Pakistan's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
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