Dar Seeks IMO Action to Free 10 Pakistanis Held by Somali Pirates
LONDON: Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar has sought urgent intervention from the International Maritime Organisation to help 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 as concerns continued to mount over the crew members' prolonged captivity and deteriorating conditions.
The Pakistani seafarers are part of the crew of MT Honour 25, a Palau-flagged oil tanker seized by armed pirates off the coast of Puntland, Somalia, on April 21. The vessel's crew also includes seven Indonesian nationals, an Indian and a Sri Lankan. Four months after the hijacking, the sailors remain in captivity, with no reported breakthrough in negotiations for their release.
According to the Foreign Office, Dar called for urgent and effective institutional involvement to help bring the Pakistani sailors home safely. He also thanked the IMO secretary-general for supporting ongoing efforts aimed at resolving the hostage crisis. The meeting elevated the case to one of the world's principal maritime bodies as Islamabad seeks additional international assistance.
Reports surrounding the hijacking have indicated that a ransom of around $3 million has been demanded, but negotiations and payment efforts have not produced a resolution. During their captivity, crew members have released emotional video and audio messages appealing for help. They have also reported shortages of clean drinking water, food and medicines, adding urgency to diplomatic efforts for their recovery.
Efforts to resolve the case have also been complicated by uncertainty over the ownership of the tanker. Previous reporting found that the person initially believed to own the ship may instead have acted as an intermediary involved in hiring the crew. The uncertainty has complicated responsibility for negotiations and efforts to arrange the sailors' release, leaving their families dependent on government and diplomatic intervention.
During his meeting with Dominguez, Dar also reaffirmed Pakistan's commitment to the IMO and highlighted the country's efforts to strengthen maritime governance and comply with international shipping standards. The two sides discussed cooperation in maritime safety, security, regulatory reforms and development of Pakistan's maritime sector, alongside Islamabad's plans to expand its blue economy.
The issue has significant implications for Pakistan because thousands of Pakistani seafarers work on international commercial vessels and depend on established maritime institutions and diplomatic channels for protection during emergencies abroad. The captivity of the MT Honour 25 crew has therefore become both a humanitarian concern and a maritime-security issue for Islamabad, particularly as the sailors remain beyond Pakistan's territorial jurisdiction.
Dar is in the United Kingdom for an official visit that also includes engagements with senior British officials, parliamentarians and representatives of the Pakistani community. Attention will now focus on whether the IMO can help accelerate coordination among governments, maritime authorities and other parties involved in the case. Pakistan's immediate objective remains the safe release and repatriation of all 10 Pakistani crew members after months in captivity.