Pakistan repatriates 11 nationals and 20 Iranians from US-seized vessels, says Dar

ISLAMABAD: Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar said on Friday that Pakistan had brought back 11 Pakistani nationals and 20 Iranian nationals who had been aboard vessels seized by the United States on the high seas.

In a post on X, Dar said, “I am pleased to share that we have been successful in repatriating 11 Pakistani nationals, alongside 20 nationals from our brotherly country, Iran, through Singapore, who were aboard vessels seized in the high seas by the United States.”

He said the individuals were in good health and high spirits, and added that the welfare and well-being of Pakistanis living abroad, particularly those facing distress, remained the government’s highest priority.

Dar further said all those on board, including the Pakistani and Iranian nationals, had safely arrived in Singapore. He added, “All individuals have reached Bangkok from Singapore and already boarded the flight scheduled to reach Islamabad later tonight.”

According to the foreign minister, the Iranian nationals would be assisted in returning to Iran after their arrival in Islamabad.

Coordination with regional and international counterparts

Dar thanked several foreign counterparts and governments for their role in the repatriation process. He acknowledged the support of Singapore’s Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan and expressed appreciation to the prime minister and government of Singapore for what he described as their continued support and engagement throughout the process.

He also thanked Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi for placing trust in Pakistan for the repatriation of the Iranian nationals.

The deputy prime minister said US Secretary of State Marco Rubio had remained in close coordination to help ensure the smooth return of the 31 Pakistani and Iranian nationals.

Dar also acknowledged the role of his Thai counterpart, Sihasak Phuangketkeow, for facilitating the transit of the individuals through Bangkok at Pakistan’s request.

Officials and missions thanked

In his statement, Dar also praised the work carried out by Pakistani institutions and diplomatic missions involved in the operation.

“My heartfelt thanks to my colleagues at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Interior, and Pakistan’s Missions in Singapore and Thailand for their timely coordination and dedicated efforts, ensuring the smooth, safe, and successful completion of the repatriation process,” he concluded.

The repatriation involved a total of 31 people, comprising 11 Pakistanis and 20 Iranians, according to Dar’s statement. He said the group travelled through Singapore and then onward via Bangkok before their scheduled arrival in Islamabad later on Friday night.

Dar’s statement did not provide further operational details about the vessels, but it confirmed that the individuals had been aboard ships seized by the United States in international waters and that Pakistan had completed the repatriation process in coordination with multiple countries.