Children of kidnapped sailors make emotional appeals for the return of their fathers, uncles and relatives before Eidul Azha
A photo of the Honor 25 tanker crew members released by Somali pirates. Photo: Express
The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) on Thursday expressed deep concern over the continued captivity of Pakistani crew members on board the MT Honor 25 by Somali pirates and demanded urgent action from the government of Pakistan and all relevant international authorities, it said in an article on X.
The oil tanker MT Honor 25, operated by an Indonesia-based company, was hijacked off the coast of Somalia on April 21. The ship was carrying a crew of 17, including 10 Pakistani nationals. The captain of the ship is Indonesian.
The message said that “reports that hostages are surviving on contaminated water and minimal food while their families suffer severe psychological distress are unacceptable.”
“We stand in solidarity with families in Karachi protesting for the safe return of their loved ones and demand that protecting Pakistani seafarers and safeguarding their dignity and safety remains an urgent national priority,” the HRCP said.
The HRCP is deeply alarmed by the continued captivity of Pakistani crew members aboard the MT Honor 25 by Somali pirates and demands urgent action from the Pakistani government and all relevant international authorities. Reports indicate hostages are surviving on contaminated water and…
— Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (@HRCP87) May 14, 2026
Families of Pakistani crew members kidnapped by Somali pirates on Wednesday expressed deep concern over lack of government action even after 23 days of oil tanker hijacking, saying no concrete efforts had been made for their safe recovery.
Speaking at a protest at the Native Jetty Bridge, affected families said they were not aware of any ransom demands from the pirates and had received no clear updates from the government regarding negotiations or rescue efforts.
“Our only demand is the recovery and safe return of our loved ones,” said a member of the protesting families, adding that the lives of the hostages remained in danger. They warned that if the Prime Minister did not immediately take notice of the situation, they would begin a hunger strike with their children in the coming days.
The families said they had recently managed to speak with the abducted crew members, who reported deteriorating conditions aboard the ship. “They told us that their hope of survival was fading, that food and water had run out and that their condition was extremely critical,” they said.
They demanded the immediate appointment of a focal point at the government level, the activation of diplomatic channels and urgent measures for the recovery of the hostages.
The children of the abducted sailors made emotional appeals for the return of their fathers, uncles and relatives before Eidul Azha.
Read: Sailors’ families protest as Somalia ship hijack enters 23rd day
Earlier on April 30, the Foreign Office said it was in contact with the Somali government over the hostage crisis involving Pakistani sailors aboard a hijacked oil tanker, adding that it believed the crew members were safe.
Spokesman Tahir Andrabi said the tanker “Honor 25” was hijacked by pirates near the southeast coast of Somalia on April 21 while carrying oil to the Puntland region. The ship had 17 crew members on board, including 10 Pakistanis.
He said the Pakistani embassy in Djibouti contacted Somali authorities, including their foreign ministry, and was informed that the ship was anchored off the coast of Eyl in Puntland, a semi-autonomous region of Somalia.
“We have good reason to believe that our crew members are safe,” FO said, adding that the Somali Foreign Ministry had been “very cooperative” and was closely monitoring the situation.
