ISLAMABAD: The release of the Pakistani and foreign crew members of the vessel Honor 25, who have been held hostage by Somali pirates, has not been secured yet, the Foreign Office said on Saturday.
Foreign Office spokesperson Tahir Hussain Andrabi said it is “extremely unfortunate” that the detained individuals had not yet been released. He said Pakistan had been unable to ensure the safe release of the hostages and an inter-ministerial process was currently underway to address the matter.
According to the spokesperson, the Ministry of Human Rights, the Ministry of Maritime Affairs and other relevant institutions are involved in the process and are continuously monitoring the situation.
Andrabi said the main challenge was that the crew members were being held in a self-governing region of Somalia, making the operational steps required for their release particularly complex and difficult.
FO spokesman said that negotiations with those pirates were another major challenge. The situation has been further complicated by Somalia’s tribal system and the involvement of influential local figures, including the pirates who seized the vessel.
The Foreign Office spokesperson said Pakistan remained hopeful of achieving better results and was in continuous contact with the Somali government, Somali authorities and relevant international organisations.
Expressing sympathy with the families and relatives of the detained crew members, Andrabi said Pakistan fully understood their pain and concerns.
He said that the matter remained among Pakistan’s ongoing priorities and under continuous monitoring, and all possible efforts were being made in coordination with relevant ministries and institutions to secure the crew’s release and facilitate their earliest possible return home.
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