'Efforts under way for release of Pakistani crew held in tanker hijacking'

KARACHI: Sindh Governor Syed Muhammad Nehal Hashmi on Monday met the families of 11 Pakistani crew members who were taken hostage after pirates hijacked an oil tanker near Somalia last week, and said the federal government was making every effort to secure their release.

According to the governor, armed pirates seized the oil tanker near the Somali coast and held 11 Pakistani crew members along with the vessel’s Indonesian captain hostage.

Addressing a press conference alongside relatives of the kidnapped crew members, Hashmi said the federal government would not leave the affected families alone under any circumstances. He said both the federal and Sindh governments were standing with the families during the difficult period.

The governor said contact with the families had been established immediately after the incident, their concerns had been heard, and full cooperation had been assured.

Government says recovery efforts continuing

Hashmi said communication with the hostages remained intact and efforts to ensure their safe recovery were continuing at all levels. He also said talks were under way with the European Union regarding the hostages’ recovery.

He added that the incident had taken place outside Pakistan’s maritime boundaries, a factor he said had created certain complications in handling the matter.

The governor reiterated that the authorities were pursuing all possible measures for the safe release of the Pakistani crew members.

Families express hope after meeting

Family members of the kidnapped men thanked the governor for taking up the issue promptly with the federal government. They said the government’s response had given them hope that their loved ones would return safely soon.

The meeting and press conference came days after the hijacking of the oil tanker near Somalia, where the Pakistani crew members and the Indonesian captain were taken hostage by pirates.

Hashmi’s remarks indicated that the matter was being pursued simultaneously by the federal and provincial authorities, while diplomatic engagement was also continuing in connection with the hostages’ recovery.

The governor’s office did not announce any timeline for the crew members’ release, but Hashmi said efforts for their safe recovery were continuing and that the affected families had been assured of full support.