ISLAMABAD:
Pakistan on Friday announced the successful repatriation of 11 Pakistani nationals as well as 20 Iranian citizens who were aboard vessels seized by the United States in international waters, the latest sign of Islamabad’s growing diplomatic engagement linked to ongoing tensions between Iran and the United States.
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar said the 31 people were in good health and had reached Bangkok from Singapore before boarding a flight to Islamabad on Friday evening.
“I am happy to announce that we have successfully repatriated 11 Pakistani nationals, alongside 20 nationals from our brotherly country Iran, via Singapore, who were on board vessels seized on the high seas by the United States,” Dar wrote on X.
He thanked the governments of Singapore, Thailand and the United States for facilitating the repatriation process and also acknowledged the cooperation of Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi. Dar particularly appreciated Singapore Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan for her support throughout the process.
This latest operation comes as part of Pakistan’s broader diplomatic effort to reduce tensions in the Gulf region while protecting Pakistani nationals and facilitating humanitarian arrangements for affected foreign citizens.
Earlier this month, Pakistan had also facilitated the evacuation and repatriation of 22 Iranian crew members detained aboard the Iranian container ship MV Touska, which was seized by US forces in the Gulf of Oman. Pakistani officials called the move a “confidence-building measure” between Washington and Tehran.
According to the Foreign Ministry, the Iranian crew members were flown to Pakistan before being handed over to Iranian authorities, while the ship itself was to be brought to Pakistani territorial waters for repairs and eventually returned to its owners.
Officials say the repeated humanitarian and evacuation efforts underscore Islamabad’s attempt to position itself as a credible broker at a time of increased instability in the Strait of Hormuz and surrounding waters.
Pakistan has stepped up diplomatic contacts with regional and world capitals in recent weeks amid concerns that escalating maritime confrontations between the United States and Iran could further destabilize regional trade routes and energy supplies.
Islamabad hosted historic direct talks between Iran and the United States last month, although the meeting failed to produce a breakthrough.
Subsequently, Pakistan twice came close to hosting the runoff, but mistrust between the two sides prevented the meeting from taking place.
Nonetheless, Pakistan managed to convince President Trump to extend the ceasefire indefinitely, allowing the diplomatic process to continue.
Through Pakistan, Iran and the United States have exchanged several proposals, but the flood of messages has not yet made it possible to break the deadlock.
