FO says diplomatic efforts ongoing for release of hijacked Pakistani crew

During the weekly press briefing, Foreign Office spokesperson Tahir Hussain Andrabi said that despite continuous efforts, the government has not yet succeeded in securing their release.

He said Pakistan is engaged with Somali authorities, the vessel’s owner, and relevant local stakeholders, including tribal groups in the Puntland region, as part of ongoing negotiations for the safe recovery of the hostages.

Andrabi added that Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar recently held talks with Somali Foreign Minister Abdul Salam Ali, conveying Pakistan’s grave concern and stressing the urgent need for the crew’s safe release and repatriation.

He said the Pakistani side also urged improved conditions for all detainees, including crew members from Indonesia, India, Myanmar, and Sri Lanka.

According to the Foreign Office, the Somali foreign minister assured full cooperation, with both sides agreeing to maintain close coordination until the matter is resolved.

The spokesperson said diplomatic engagement is continuing at multiple levels, including consultations with the Somali ambassador in Islamabad and coordination between relevant ministries and departments.

He added that Pakistan’s embassy in Djibouti, which is accredited to Somalia, has dispatched teams to Mogadishu for direct engagement, while inter-ministerial consultations are ongoing in Islamabad.

Andrabi said the issue remains a high priority for the government, with another key meeting scheduled at the Foreign Ministry in the coming days.

He noted that the situation is operationally complex due to the dynamics of the Puntland region, where tribal structures and multiple stakeholders are involved in negotiations.

Despite the challenges, he reiterated that efforts will continue until the safe release and repatriation of all hostages is achieved, while expressing solidarity with the affected families.