According to the Pakistani mission in Djibouti, it 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 tanker Honor 25, sailing under the Somali flag from Oman to Somalia, was hijacked by pirates on April 21. 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.
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.
Responding to a point raised by Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) lawmaker Abdul Qadir Patel during the proceedings of the House, the minister said the government immediately took note of the matter as soon as it was brought before Parliament.
The minister informed the House that Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Ishaq Dar had already contacted his Somali counterpart to discuss the matter, adding that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs remained fully engaged and issued statements regarding the situation.
Dar held a telephone conversation last week with his Somali counterpart Abdisalam Abdi Ali to convey Pakistan’s “grave” concern over the situation and stressed the importance of ensuring the welfare of the hostages, their early release and their safe repatriation. Ali assured Dar of Somalia’s “continued and sincere efforts” to secure the release of the hostages as soon as possible.
Tarar said Foreign Minister Amna Baloch was in constant contact with 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 difficult to determine their exact whereabouts and secure their immediate release.
Assuring the House of government’s commitment, Tarar said Parliament and the public would be kept informed of any significant progress.
“These are our citizens, and their security remains a matter of major concern for the government. We are fully aware of their situation and are making all possible efforts through diplomatic channels to secure their release,” he said.
Earlier in the session, a delegation from Bangladesh’s higher education sector visited the National Assembly and observed the proceedings. National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq welcomed the visiting delegation, while lawmakers greeted them by knocking on their desks.
Maritime Affairs Minister Junaid Anwar Chaudhry said last week the government was “actively working” to secure the release of 10 sailors held hostage by Somali pirates on a ship for more than a month. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Tahir Andrabi also said Pakistan remained “actively engaged” in efforts to secure the release of the crew.
