Hackers reject third-party negotiations and demand government speak to them directly
A screenshot from a video shows crew members of an Indonesian-flagged ship being held hostage by Somali pirates.
Somali pirates 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 indicating for the first time that the release of all the hostages, the ship and its cargo would only be possible if they received three million dollars. The pirates refused any reduction in the amount or any negotiations.
Qurrat-ul-Ain Advocate, director of the Ansar Burney Trust, said the contact took place on Monday.
The pirates have denied recent reports that they demanded ten million dollars. They also distanced themselves from a man named Usman, who was portrayed in the media as the ship’s owner and believed to be linked to the $10 million demand. According to Qurrat-ul-Ain Advocate, the pirates rejected any negotiations with a third party and demanded the Pakistani government to speak to them directly.
Learn more: Hostage Crew Video Surfaces After 26 Days of Pirate Captivity
The 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, including 10 Pakistani nationals. The families of the Pakistani hostages have repeatedly called on the government to release their loved ones safely.
Families of Pakistani hostages from the crew of the HONOR 25 oil tanker that was hijacked by pirates off the coast of Somalia, hold placards during a protest, calling on the government to take immediate action for the safe 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. At the same time, Pakistani authorities claim to be in contact with both the pirates and the Somali government to obtain the release of the Pakistani hostages.
صومالی بحری قزاقوں نے پاکستانیوں سمیت 17 یرغمالیوں کی نئی ویڈیو جاری کردی
یرغمالی پاکستانی شہری یوسف حسین کی حکومت پاکستان سے اپیل
یہ لوگ ابلے چاول اور ٹینک کا گندہ پانی پینے کے لیے دے رہے ہیں،بہت مشکل میں جلد سے جلد سے مزاکرات کریں ،ویڈیو میں بھاری اسلحے سے لیس قزاق بھی… pic.twitter.com/1IcDJ2jPCV– Shahid Hussain (@ShahidHussainJM) May 15, 2026
In video and audio messages, the Pakistani hostages reported that supplies of food and medicine on board the ship had run out. They said they were only given one serving of boiled rice a day.
Drinking water is also running out, forcing the hostages to drink contaminated water, causing illness among them.
