The Foreign Office (FO) on Thursday said that efforts are continuing to secure the release of Pakistani nationals held by Somali pirates, but acknowledged that the situation remains “operationally difficult” due to complex conditions on the ground.
Foreign Office spokesperson Tahir Hussain Andrabi said during his weekly press briefing in Islamabad that the government remains fully committed to bringing back the hostages safely, though progress has been slow despite sustained diplomatic efforts.
Hijacking of MT Honour 25
The incident involves the cargo vessel MT Honour 25, which was hijacked on April 21 near Somalia’s semi-autonomous Puntland region. The ship was carrying 17 crew members, including 10 Pakistanis, all of whom have now been in captivity for around 50 days.
Families of the detained crew have expressed growing concern over their safety, saying conditions onboard have reportedly worsened during captivity.
Diplomatic efforts underway
The FO spokesperson said Pakistan is actively engaged with Somali authorities, the shipowner, and local intermediaries, including tribal groups in the Puntland region, in an effort to secure the crew’s release.
He added that Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar recently held talks with Somalia’s Foreign Minister Abdul Salam Ali, during which Pakistan’s concerns were strongly conveyed.
According to the FO, both sides agreed to maintain close coordination until the matter is resolved. Somalia, in response, assured Pakistan of continued efforts to facilitate the safe release of the hostages.
Pakistan Continues Efforts to Secure Release of Crew Held by Somali Pirates: Foreign Office
High-level engagement and coordination
The FO further said that Pakistan’s diplomatic missions, including its embassy in Djibouti (accredited to Mogadishu), have been actively involved in discussions and have dispatched teams to engage with relevant stakeholders on the ground.
In addition, the Somali ambassador in Islamabad has been called to the Foreign Ministry for consultations, while inter-ministerial meetings are being held in Pakistan to coordinate the response.
Another high-level meeting is also scheduled at the Foreign Ministry next week to review the situation.
Challenges on the ground
The spokesperson explained that efforts are complicated by the region’s tribal dynamics and the location of the captives in Puntland, where local power structures and negotiations differ from formal state control.
He noted that different tribal affiliations between the pirates and other stakeholders have further complicated mediation efforts.
Call for patience amid ongoing efforts
While reaffirming that the release of Pakistani citizens is a “top priority,” the FO urged families to remain patient.
“We deeply sympathise with the relatives of these individuals,” the spokesperson said, adding that all possible diplomatic and operational channels are being used to resolve the situation as soon as possible.
