Somali pirates demand $3 million ransom to release hostages, including Pakistanis

Somali pirates have demanded a ransom of three million dollars for the release of seventeen hostages, including ten Pakistanis.

During the ongoing communication between the pirates and the Ansar Burney Trust, the pirate leader sent a WhatsApp message on Monday in which he stated for the first time that the release of all hostages, the ship and its cargo would only be possible if they were paid three million dollars. The pirates rejected any reduction of the amount or any negotiations.

Qurrat-ul-Ain Advocate, director of the Ansar Burney Trust, said the contact took place on Monday.

The Pirates denied recent reports that they had demanded ten million dollars. They also distanced themselves from a man named Usman, who had been presented in the media as the owner of the ship and allegedly linked to the demand for ten million dollars. According to the Qurrat-ul-Ain Advocate, the pirates rejected any third-party negotiations and asked the Pakistani government to talk to them directly.

Read more: The hostage crew’s video emerges after 26 days in pirate captivity

The oil tanker Honor 25, sailing under the Somali flag from Oman to Somalia, was hijacked by pirates on the 21st of last month. There were 17 crew members on board, 10 of whom were Pakistani nationals. The families of the Pakistani hostages have continuously appealed to the government for the safe release of their loved ones.

Families of the Pakistani hostage crew members of the Oil Products Tanker HONOR 25, which was hijacked by pirates off the coast of Somalia, hold placards during a protest calling on the government to take immediate action to ensure the return of their loved ones, in Karachi, Pakistan May 13, 2026. REUTERS

According to the pirates, countries including Sri Lanka and India are in contact with them regarding their seven hostages, but they have not confirmed any communication from Pakistan. Meanwhile, Pakistani authorities say they are in contact with both the pirates and the Somali government to secure the release of the Pakistani hostages.

In video and audio messages, the Pakistani hostages reported that food supplies and medicine on the ship had run out. They said they only got one portion of boiled rice a day.

Clean drinking water has also run out, forcing the hostages to drink contaminated water, causing disease among them.