{
  "id": 769264,
  "title": "DPM Dar orders intensified diplomatic engagement to secure release of Pakistani hostages",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/13/dpm-dar-orders-intensified-diplomatic-engagement-to-secure-release-of",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-13T13:28:59.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Business Recorder",
    "slug": "business-recorder",
    "url": "https://www.brecorder.com/news/40434652/dpm-dar-orders-intensified-diplomatic-engagement-to-secure-release-of-pakistani-hostages"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "On Thursday, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar spearheaded a high-level meeting to examine Pakistan's intensified initiatives aimed at the secure and prompt release of 10 Pakistani residents held hostage on the hijacked MT Honour 25 tanker off the Somali coast. In a directive to all pertinent parties, Dar emphasized the need for ongoing and frequent communication, along with a robust diplomatic push through national and international allies, including Somali authorities and global organizations, to guarantee the safe return of the Pakistani nationals. Expressing solidarity with the hostages' families, Dar reaffirmed the government's unwavering commitment to the situation. He voiced optimism that persistent and coordinated diplomatic endeavors would yield a favorable result, facilitating the safe repatriation of the Pakistani citizens to their loved ones. In April 2026, Somali pirates boarded the oil tanker MT Honour 25 near Somalia's coast, capturing 11 Pakistani crew members. The vessel, a Palau-flagged product tanker, was seized on April 21, roughly 30 nautical miles off Somalia's Puntland region, with a total of 17 crew members, comprising 10 Pakistanis. During a media briefing on June 11, Foreign Office Spokesperson Tahir Andrabi informed the press about Pakistan's foreign policy, regional developments, and efforts concerning Pakistani nationals detained abroad. Andrabi confirmed that Pakistani citizens had been taken hostage by Somali pirates, and the Deputy Prime Minister had personally reached out to Somalia's foreign minister regarding the matter. He stated that the Somali foreign minister had pledged full cooperation to secure the hostages' safe release, adding that progress had been limited due to the situation's intricate nature. Andrabi noted that the hostage crisis was particularly challenging due to the involvement of a semi-autonomous tribal area where multiple actors were at play, complicating negotiations. Nevertheless, he stressed that the safety and early release of the Pakistani citizens remained Pakistan's top priority. Andrabi further explained that the hostages were aboard a cargo ship carrying crew members from various nations. The spokesperson stated that DPM Dar had spoken by telephone with the Somali foreign minister, urging collective efforts to improve the situation for both Pakistani nationals and other hostages. Pakistan had expressed its grave concern over the matter and insisted on immediate action. The Somali ambassador in Islamabad was summoned to be informed of Pakistan's concerns, and inter-ministerial meetings were convened at the Foreign Office to devise a coordinated strategy for advancing the issue.",
  "summary": "Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar on Thursday chaired a high-level meeting to review Pakistan’s “intensified” efforts for the safe and early release of 10 Pakistani nationals held hostage aboard MT Honour 25 after the vessel was hijacked by pirates off the Somali coast. The Foreign Office said DPM Dar directed all relevant stakeholders to maintain close and…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 3,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Business Insider",
        "title": "How Somali pirate kidnappings actually work, according to a former hostage",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/13/how-somali-pirate-kidnappings-actually-work-according-to-a-former",
        "published": "2026-08-13T12:11:01.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Dawn - Pakistan",
        "title": "Dar orders intensified diplomatic engagement for release of Pakistani sailors held hostage by Somali pirates",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/13/dar-orders-intensified-diplomatic-engagement-for-release-of-pakistani",
        "published": "2026-08-13T12:35:44.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}