Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar said Wednesday that the three remaining Pakistani crew members of the hijacked oil tanker MT Honour 25 were on their way from Addis Ababa to Karachi and were expected to reunite with their families later in the day.
In a statement on X, Dar identified the three sailors as Imran Ali, Husain Yousuf and Muhammad Yasin. He said Pakistan’s ambassador in Addis Ababa had met the crew members and ensured they received all necessary facilities and assistance during their stay in Ethiopia.
“I am pleased to share that the remaining three crew members of MT Honour 25 … are en route to safely return home to Karachi from Addis Ababa later today and will be reunited with their families,” Dar said.
The foreign minister said the Foreign Office and the government had made every effort to secure the safe return of the Pakistani crew members.
He also expressed sorrow over the deaths of three Pakistani sailors in the incident, extending condolences to their families.
“While we welcome the safe return of our people, we remain deeply saddened by the loss of three Pakistani crew members,” Dar said.
Injured crew members and remains already repatriated
On Sunday, four injured crew members and the remains of three Pakistani sailors killed during the incident were flown from Addis Ababa to Karachi aboard Ethiopian Airlines flight ET 694.
The returning sailors were received by senior government officials in Karachi. Sindh Governor Nehal Hashmi welcomed the injured crew members and attended the funeral prayers of Mahmood Ahmed Ansari.
The remains of another deceased sailor, Rafiullah Khan, were handed over to his family for burial.
The three remaining Pakistani crew members had stayed in Addis Ababa before beginning their journey back to Pakistan.
I am pleased to share that the remaining three crew members of MT Honour 25 (Mr Imran Ali, Mr Husain Yousuf and Mr Muhammad Yasin) are enroute to safely return home to Karachi from Addis Ababa later today and will be reunited with their families. InshAllah 🤲🏼
Our Ambassador in Addis Ababa met the three crew members and ensured that they were provided all necessary facilities and services during their stay in Adis Ababa.
The Foreign Office and the Government of Pakistan, under the leadership of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif @CMShehbaz, made every effort to secure the safe return of all our crew members. I am grateful to all those who supported these efforts.
While we welcome the safe return of our people, we remain deeply saddened by the loss of three Pakistani crew members. May Allah grant them eternal peace and give strength to their families.
Pakistan remains firmly committed to working with international partners to combat piracy and ensure the safety and security of seafarers and maritime routes.
— Ishaq Dar (@MIshaqDar50) October 7, 2026
MT Honour 25 hijacking
The oil tanker MT Honour 25, sailing under the Somali flag from Oman to Somalia, was hijacked by pirates off the Somali coast on April 21. The vessel had 17 crew members on board, including 10 Pakistani nationals.
The pirates initially demanded a ransom of $3 million, which was later reduced to $1.9 million and eventually $1 million.
During a rescue operation, the pirates reportedly opened fire on the crew while retreating from the vessel. Five sailors were killed, including three Pakistanis: Second Officer Kashif Umar, Third Engineer Mahmood Ansari and Boiler Rafiullah.
Four crew members were injured, while Imran Ali, Husain Yousuf and Muhammad Yasin remained safe.
The surviving Pakistani sailors later contacted the Ansar Burney Welfare Trust in Karachi using the ship captain’s mobile phone and provided details about the incident.
Special aircraft carrying MT Honour 25 victims lands in Karachi
Pakistan vows continued action against piracy
Dar said Pakistan remained committed to working with international partners to combat piracy and protect seafarers and maritime routes.
The MT Honour 25 incident has renewed concerns over maritime security around the Gulf of Aden and the Somali coast, where piracy has seen a resurgence this year.
According to figures cited from the International Maritime Organisation, at least 15 piracy attacks have been recorded in the region this year, the highest number since 2013.
With the remaining three Pakistani sailors now returning home, all surviving Pakistani crew members involved in the MT Honour 25 incident are expected to be reunited with their families.
