Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar briefing members of the diplomatic corps at the Foreign Office in Islamabad on the anniversary of “Marka-e-Haq” on Tuesday. Photo: X/ FO
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar said on Friday that Pakistan had successfully repatriated 11 Pakistani nationals along with 20 Iranian nationals who were aboard a vessel seized by the US on the high seas.
“I am happy to share that we have successfully repatriated 11 Pakistani nationals along with 20 nationals of our brother country Iran through Singapore who were on board ships seized on the high seas by the US,” Dar said in a post on X.
He said all persons were in good health and in high spirits, adding that the welfare and well-being of overseas Pakistanis, especially those in need, remained the highest priority of the government.
Alhamdolillah, I am happy to share that we have been successful in the repatriation of 11 Pakistani nationals, along with 20 nationals from our brother country Iran, through Singapore, who were on board ships seized on the high seas by the United States.
All persons are in…
— Ishaq Dar (@MIshaqDar50) 15 May 2026
The foreign minister said all persons, including the Pakistanis and Iranians on board, had arrived safely in Singapore.
“All persons have reached Bangkok from Singapore and have already boarded the flight scheduled to reach Islamabad later this evening,” he said.
Dar added that after arriving in Islamabad, it would be easier for the Iranian nationals to return to their homeland.
Also read: 22 Iranian crew repatriated via Pakistan
The Deputy Prime Minister appreciated the efforts of his Singaporean counterpart, Vivian Balakrishnan, and thanked the Prime Minister and the Government of Singapore for their continued support and commitment throughout the process.
He also thanked FM Abbas Araghchi for reiterating confidence in Pakistan for the repatriation of the Iranian nationals.
Dar further expressed gratitude to US Secretary of State Marco Rubio for close coordination in facilitating a smooth return of the 31 Pakistani and Iranian nationals.
The Deputy Prime Minister also acknowledged the efforts of his Thai counterpart, Sihasak Phuangketkeow, to facilitate the transit of persons through Bangkok at Pakistan’s request.
“My heartfelt thanks to my colleagues in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Interior and Pakistan’s Missions in Singapore and Thailand for their timely coordination and dedicated efforts ensuring a smooth, safe and successful completion of the repatriation process,” he concluded.
The US authorities’ seizure of vessels near Singapore waters, carrying 11 Pakistani and 20 Iranian seafarers, prompted Ishaq Dar to seek Singapore’s help in facilitating the welfare and repatriation of the detained seafarers.
Earlier this month, Pakistan facilitated the transfer of 22 Iranian crew members aboard the MV Touska, which was seized by the United States.
In a statement released on X, the State Department said the individuals were flown to Pakistan “last night and will be handed over to Iranian authorities today.”
On February 28, the United States and Israel launched a joint offensive against Iran, and Tehran retaliated with attacks on Israel and other regional countries that host American assets.
The war has been on hold since April 8, when Pakistan brokered a two-week ceasefire. After the cease-fire, Pakistan hosted the highest-level US-Iran talks since the 1979 Islamic Revolution, which ended in Islamabad last weekend without a deal, but the cease-fire was kept.
Despite the ceasefire, the US began intercepting Iranian ships.
Iran later blocked almost all ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz except for its own, as Trump imposed a separate blockade of Iranian ports. The closure of the strait, a choke point for about 20% of global oil and liquid natural gas shipments, resulted in a phenomenal increase in global oil prices.
