Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar said on Wednesday that Pakistan had facilitated the repatriation of 30 Iranian nationals, including eight fishermen rescued at sea by a British ship and 22 crew members of a vessel recently banned by US authorities.
In an article on
He said both groups are expected to transit through Karachi in the coming days.
FM Dar said Pakistan remains in close coordination with Iranian, US and UK authorities to ensure safe transit and speedy return of Iranian nationals to their home countries.
“Pakistan is happy to facilitate the repatriation of 30 Iranian nationals,” Dar wrote on X.
He added that Pakistan remained committed to humanitarian cooperation and to providing “all possible assistance to our Iranian brothers”.
Pakistan is pleased to facilitate the repatriation of 30 Iranian nationals.
This includes 8 Iranian fishermen rescued at sea by the British vessel MMA Valor after their boat ran aground, and 22 Iranian crew members from the vessel Lenore/Davina, recently banned by the United States…
— Ishaq Dar (@MIshaqDar50) June 17, 2026
A day earlier, Justice Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar informed the National Assembly that DPM Dar had already contacted his Somali counterpart to discuss the matter, adding that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs remained fully engaged and had issued statements on the situation.
Read: Government “pursues” release of hostages in Somalia
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.
Egyptian FM
Furthermore, Dar had a telephone conversation with Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty on Wednesday, the Foreign Ministry said in a message on X.
Deputy Prime Minister/Minister of Foreign Affairs Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar @MIshaqDar50 held a telephone conversation with Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty.
The two leaders exchanged views on the recent agreements reached between the United States and Iran and on the upcoming agreements… pic.twitter.com/5mDCSPMVTN
– Ministry of Foreign Affairs – Pakistan (@ForeignOfficePk) June 17, 2026
According to the statement, the two sides exchanged views on the recent agreements reached between the United States and Iran, as well as the upcoming memorandum of understanding in Bürgenstock, Switzerland, scheduled for Friday.
They also discussed preparations for the next meeting of foreign ministers of the four regions (R-4) later this month.
The two ministers agreed to remain in close contact on issues of mutual interest and ongoing regional developments.
