Ishaq Dar Urges International Action for Release of Pakistani Sailors Held in Somalia
Pakistan has called for urgent international efforts to secure the safe return of 10 Pakistani sailors who have been held captive since the hijacking of an oil tanker off Somalia earlier this year.
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar has urged the International Maritime Organization (IMO) to play an active role in efforts to secure the release of 10 Pakistani sailors being held by Somali pirates.
Dar raised the issue during a meeting with IMO Secretary General Arsenio Dominguez in London on Monday. According to Pakistan’s Foreign Office, Dar called for “urgent and effective institutional intervention” to help secure the safe return of the sailors.
The foreign minister also thanked the IMO chief for supporting ongoing efforts to resolve the situation.
Pakistani Sailors Among Crew of Hijacked Tanker
The sailors were members of the crew of MT Honour 25, a Palau-flagged oil tanker that was reportedly hijacked off the coast of Puntland, Somalia, on April 21, 2026.
The vessel’s crew includes 10 Pakistani nationals, along with seven Indonesians, one Indian and one Sri Lankan.
According to officials, negotiations over the sailors’ release have not yet produced a breakthrough. Reports have also raised concerns about the crew’s access to basic supplies, including food, clean water and medicines.
The sailors have previously made appeals seeking assistance and a safe resolution to the situation.
Ownership Issues Complicate Case
The case has also been complicated by uncertainty surrounding the ownership of the vessel.
Questions over who officially owns or controls the tanker have reportedly made efforts to resolve the situation more difficult.
The reported ransom demand has been around $3 million, although the matter remains subject to negotiations and diplomatic efforts.
Pakistan Reaffirms Cooperation With IMO
During the London meeting, Dar also reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to working with the IMO on maritime safety, security and regulatory matters.
The two sides discussed strengthening cooperation in areas including maritime governance, implementation of international standards and development of Pakistan’s maritime sector.
Pakistan also highlighted its efforts to expand its maritime economy and improve the country’s regulatory framework.
Dar’s UK Visit
Dar is currently on a four-day official visit to the United Kingdom, where he is scheduled to meet senior British officials and members of Parliament.
His meetings are also expected to cover Pakistan-UK relations, trade cooperation and opportunities to strengthen business ties between the two countries.
The Pakistani government continues to seek international support for the safe release of the sailors and a peaceful resolution to the case.
