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

Three additional Pakistani sailors rescued from the hijacked oil tanker MT Honour 25 are set to return home to Karachi on Wednesday, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar announced. The tanker, seized by Somali pirates in April, had a crew of 19, including 10 Pakistanis. Of those, three crew members died during the operation, and a further four were injured before being repatriated to Pakistan on Sunday.

The remaining three crew members, Imran Ali, Husain Yousuf, and Muhammad Yasin, are currently en route to Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, where they will reunite with their families later today. The Pakistani ambassador in Addis Ababa has ensured the crew members are provided with all necessary facilities and services during their stay. Deputy Prime Minister Dar highlighted the efforts of the Foreign Office and the government, led by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, in securing the crew members' safe return.

The Foreign Office expressed deep sorrow over the loss of three Pakistani crew members, while reaffirming Pakistan's commitment to combating piracy and ensuring the safety of seafarers and maritime routes. The tanker's crew also included seven Indonesians, an Indian, and a Sri Lankan. The April hijacking of the MT Honour 25 lasted several months without successful negotiations or ransom payment, which was reportedly around $3 million.

The crew made emotional appeals, stating they had run out of clean water, food, and medicine. Their families worldwide called for international assistance to secure their release, and the Foreign Office maintained active engagement in the recovery efforts.