Remaining 3 Pakistanis rescued from hijacked vessel off Somalia returning home today: Dar

Three additional Pakistani sailors rescued from a hijacked oil tanker off Somalia are set to return home to Karachi on Wednesday, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar announced. In September, the maritime police force of Somalia's semi-autonomous Puntland seized the Palau-flagged MT Honour 25, which was carrying 19 crew members, including 10 Pakistanis.

The Foreign Office confirmed that three of the ten were among the five who perished during the operation. Four injured Pakistanis, along with the remains of their three fallen comrades, arrived in the country on Sunday, facilitated by the government through Ethiopia. Dar stated that the remaining three crew members—Imran Ali, Husain Yousuf, and Muhammad Yasin—were en route to safely reunite with their families in Karachi from Addis Ababa later the same day.

The Pakistani ambassador in Addis Ababa had met with the three crew members to ensure they received the necessary facilities and services during their stay. Dar emphasized that the Foreign Office and the government, under Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif's leadership, made every effort to secure the safe return of all crew members.

While they welcomed the survivors' safe return, they expressed deep sorrow over the loss of three fellow nationals and conveyed their prayers for eternal peace for the deceased. Dar reaffirmed Pakistan's commitment to collaborating with international partners to combat piracy and safeguard seafarers and maritime routes. The crew of the MT Honour 25 also comprised seven Indonesians, an Indian, and a Sri Lankan.

Following the April hijacking, negotiations and ransom payments for the hostages' release, reportedly around $3 million, remained inconclusive for months. The crew members frequently released emotional videos and audio messages, reporting a lack of clean water, food, and medicine. Their families launched an international appeal, urging foreign governments, the United Nations, and the International Maritime Organisation to coordinate efforts in securing their loved ones' release. The Foreign Office maintained that it had been actively engaged in securing the hostages' release.