Somali Pirates Demand $3m For Hostages Including Pakistanis
Somali pirates have demanded a $3 million ransom for the release of 17 hostages, including 10 Pakistani nationals, after hijacking the oil tanker Honour 25 off the Somali coast. The development has intensified concerns in Pakistan as families of the detained crew continue pressing authorities to secure their safe return.
According to the report, the demand was communicated during contact between the pirates and the Ansar Burney Trust. The pirate leader reportedly sent a WhatsApp message on Monday stating that the hostages, the vessel and the cargo would only be released after payment of the full ransom amount.
The pirates also rejected any reduction in the demand and refused third-party negotiations. They denied earlier reports that a $10 million ransom had been sought and distanced themselves from a man named Usman, who had been presented in some media reports as the ship’s owner.
Qurrat-ul-Ain Advocate, director of the Ansar Burney Trust, confirmed that the contact took place on Monday. She said the pirates had asked the Pakistani government to speak with them directly and had not confirmed receiving any formal communication from Islamabad.
The Honour 25 was hijacked on April 21 while travelling from Oman to Somalia. The vessel had 17 crew members on board, 10 of whom are Pakistani citizens, while the remaining hostages reportedly include nationals from other countries. Families of the Pakistani crew have repeatedly appealed to the government for urgent intervention.
The humanitarian situation on the vessel is also becoming increasingly alarming. In video and audio messages, Pakistani hostages said food supplies and medicines had run out, leaving the crew dependent on one serving of boiled rice per day. They also said clean drinking water was no longer available and that contaminated water was causing illness among them.
The case has placed renewed attention on the risks faced by Pakistani seafarers working on international routes, particularly in conflict-prone or piracy-affected waters. It also raises questions about crisis response, consular coordination and the protection of citizens employed in maritime labour outside Pakistan.
Pakistani authorities have said they are in contact with both the pirates and the Somali government to secure the hostages’ release. However, the pirates’ demand for direct talks and refusal to negotiate through intermediaries could complicate efforts to resolve the crisis quickly.
For Pakistan, the matter is becoming both a diplomatic and humanitarian emergency. The lives of 10 citizens are at stake, while their families are demanding visible action, credible updates and a clear negotiation strategy from the state.
The coming hours and days will be critical as pressure grows on the government to respond decisively. Any delay could worsen conditions for the hostages, while successful coordination with Somali authorities, international partners and maritime agencies may determine whether the crew can be brought home safely.