Nehal Hashmi says he contacted European Union organizations for the release of hostages
Nehal Hashmi. PHOTO: EXPRESS
KARACHI:
Sindh Governor Nehal Hashmi said Monday that 11 Pakistani crew members held hostage by Somali pirates had not been abandoned and that authorities had been ordered to continue efforts to free them.
Initial details suggest that pirates hijacked an oil tanker named “Owner 25” on Tuesday in the Gulf of Aden, near the Bab-el-Mandeb Strait, off the coast of Somalia. The ship’s crew included its captain, an Indonesian national, as well as 11 Pakistanis.
Speaking at a press conference at the Governor’s House in Karachi, Hashmi said the affected families had visited the office seeking help. Regarding the hostages, Hashmi said that “they are not abandoned; the government is on their side,” ensuring that families would be supported during this period.
Further, the governor said he had held discussions with Maritime Affairs Minister Junaid Anwar Chaudhry, as well as the Foreign Minister, and that the Pakistan Embassy was in “full contact” with the parties concerned. Hashmi added that the authorities had been given a mandate to continue efforts to free the hostages and that contacts had also been made with European Union organizations on this matter.
“We are not remaining silent on this issue, work is underway,” he assured.
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Meanwhile, family members of the hostages told reporters that they last spoke to their loved ones on Friday and were facing serious difficulties. “They were in great distress and didn’t even have food,” said a relative. The families also claimed that the kidnappers were armed. “We came to the Governor’s House and they gave us hope,” they said.
The families said they were living in distress and urged authorities to ensure the safe return of the hostages. “We will not have peace until our loved ones return home,” they added.
Minister Chaudhry on Friday demanded a detailed report on the hijacking, directing relevant authorities to coordinate with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Pakistan Navy for the recovery of the hostages. There is so far no information on the name or nationality of the owner or shipping company operating the hijacked tanker. Reports from official sources also suggest that the Foreign Office is engaging with the Somali government for the safe release of the Pakistani crew.
Tensions in the Persian Gulf have escalated since the United States and Israel attacked Iran on February 28, 2026. Since then, Iran has closed the Strait of Hormuz, further exacerbating tensions in the Gulf region. Shipping companies in the Bab-el-Mandeb Strait now regularly face threats not only from Somali pirates, but also from Yemen’s Houthi movement.
