Says Pakistan’s mission in Djibouti is closely monitoring developments and coordinating efforts for the release of the hostages
Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar on Tuesday informed the National Assembly that the government was actively working through diplomatic channels to secure the release of 10 Pakistani citizens held hostage in Somalia.
The oil tanker Honor 25, sailing under the Somali flag from Oman to Somalia, was hijacked by pirates on 21 April. 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.
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.
Responding to a point raised by Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) lawmaker Abdul Qadir Patel during the proceedings in the House of Representatives, the minister said the government took immediate notice of the matter as soon as it was brought before Parliament.
The minister informed Parliament that Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar had already contacted his Somali counterpart to discuss the issue, adding that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs remained fully engaged and had issued statements on the situation.
Dar last week held a phone call with his Somali counterpart Abdisalam Abdi Ali to convey Pakistan’s “serious” concern over the situation and stressed the importance of ensuring the hostages’ well-being, their early release and safe repatriation. Ali had assured Dar of Somalia’s “continued and sincere efforts” to secure the release of the hostages at the earliest opportunity.
Tarar said Foreign Minister Amna Baloch was in continuous contact with the relevant Somali authorities, while Pakistan’s mission in Djibouti was closely monitoring developments and coordinating efforts for the release of the hostages.
He said the hostages were not being held by the Somali government but by another group, making it challenging to establish their exact whereabouts and ensure their immediate release.
Assuring the House of the government’s commitment, Tarar said Parliament and the public would be kept informed of any significant progress.
“These are our citizens and their safety remains a matter of grave concern to the government. We are fully aware of their situation and are doing everything possible through diplomatic channels to secure their release,” he said.
Earlier in the meeting, a delegation from Bangladesh’s higher education sector visited the National Assembly and observed the proceedings. NA speaker Ayaz Sadiq welcomed the visiting delegation while lawmakers greeted them by tapping their desks.
Maritime Affairs Minister Junaid Anwar Chaudhry said last week that the government was “actively working” to secure the release of 10 sailors held hostage by Somali pirates on a ship for over a month. Foreign Ministry spokesman Tahir Andrabi has also said that Pakistan remained “actively engaged” in efforts to secure the release of the crew.
