Foreign Office spokesperson Tahir Hussain Andrabi says government regretted that despite sustained efforts, the crew had not yet been released and remained in captivity for around 50 days
ISLAMABAD: (UrduPoint/Pakistan Point News-June 11th, 2026) The Foreign Office said on Thursday that the government is continuing diplomatic and operational efforts to secure the release of Pakistani nationals held by Somali pirates for nearly two months.
The vessel MT Honour 25, carrying 17 crew members including 10 Pakistanis, was hijacked on April 21 near Somalia’s semi-autonomous Puntland region. Families of the hostages have expressed concern over their safety, saying the situation on board has worsened during their captivity.
Speaking at his weekly press briefing, Foreign Office spokesperson Tahir Hussain Andrabi said the government regretted that despite sustained efforts, the crew had not yet been released and remained in captivity for around 50 days.
He said Pakistan was engaged with Somali authorities, the shipowner, and other stakeholders involved in negotiations with the pirates, including local tribal intermediaries in the Puntland region.
Andrabi added that Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar recently spoke with Somali Foreign Minister Abdulsalam Ali, conveying Pakistan’s serious concern over the situation and stressing the need for the immediate and safe release of the hostages.
He said Pakistan also urged that the living conditions of all detained crew members, including Pakistanis as well as nationals from Indonesia, India, Myanmar, and Sri Lanka, be improved.
According to the Foreign Office, the Somali foreign minister assured continued efforts by his government to secure their release, with both sides agreeing to maintain close coordination.
The spokesperson said Pakistan has taken multiple steps at various levels to advance the matter, including summoning Somalia’s ambassador in Islamabad by Foreign Secretary Amna Baloch to discuss possible solutions.
He added that Pakistan’s embassy in Djibouti, accredited to Somalia, has also dispatched teams to Mogadishu for direct engagement with relevant authorities.
Andrabi said inter-ministerial consultations are ongoing, with another high-level meeting scheduled at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs next week, adding that the matter remains a top priority for the government.
However, he noted that progress is challenging due to the complexity of the situation in Somalia’s Puntland region, where tribal dynamics and competing local interests have complicated negotiations.
“The situation is operationally difficult, but we remain committed to resolving it at the earliest possible time,” he said, while expressing sympathy for the affected families.
