Govt. Making Efforts For Early Release Of 10 Pakistanis Held By Somali Pirates
ISLAMABAD, (APP – UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News – 19th Aug, 2026)
Federal Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Dr Tariq Fazal Chaudhry on Wednesday stated that the government is tirelessly working to secure the early release of 10 Pakistani nationals captured by Somali pirates.
Responding to a Calling Attention Notice moved by Abdul Qadir Patel, Mir Shabbir Ali Bijarani, Shahida Rehmani, Syed Hussain Tariq, and Mirza Ikhtiar Baig, Chaudhry revealed that three rounds of negotiations with the pirates have been conducted, yet no breakthrough has been achieved thus far.
The notice drew attention to the detention of 10 Pakistanis in Somalia, delays in their repatriation, and difficulties faced by Pakistani citizens abroad.
Chaudhry explained that the Foreign Office is actively pursuing the matter through diplomatic channels, including its mission in London. He noted that the federal government of Somalia lacks effective control over the area in Puntland where the vessel and hostages are being held.
He further stated:
- The pirates have demanded $3 million for the release of the hostages.
- Paying the ransom could lead to serious consequences, encouraging further ship hijackings and hostage-taking in the region.
- The government is fully aware of the sensitivity of the issue and the concerns of the families of the detained Pakistanis.
Chaudhry added that an inter-ministerial meeting had been held by the Ministry of Human Rights under the chairmanship of Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar. He assured that "all available resources" are being utilized to resolve the matter.
He identified a key obstacle as the unclear ownership of the vessel, with the vessel ownership address in Dubai found to be incorrect upon verification by the Pakistani Consulate there. He emphasized the difficulty this creates in establishing an effective communication channel with the actual owners.
Despite these challenges, Chaudhry confirmed that Pakistani missions and relevant authorities are continuing efforts to negotiate the safe release of the hostages. He also hinted at exploring other options.
In response to Shahida Rehmani, he reiterated that the government is neither taking the matter lightly nor neglecting any available option, except agreeing to the ransom demand. He expressed concern over reports of other vessels being hijacked in the region and warned that establishing a precedent of ransom payments could worsen the situation.
Addressing Mirza Ikhtiar Baig, Chaudhry stated that Pakistani diplomatic missions and the Foreign Office are actively engaged in negotiations with relevant authorities.
