MOGADISHU/ISLAMABAD — The Somali government has assured Pakistan of its full cooperation in efforts to secure the safe return of 10 Pakistani nationals held hostage after their vessel was seized by pirates off the Somali coast, officials said.
The issue was formally raised by Pakistan with the Somali authorities, with Islamabad stressing the urgency of securing the release of the crew members.
Somali officials have pledged to support ongoing efforts to resolve the incident involving the oil tanker Honour 25, which was reportedly hijacked near Somali waters on April 21.
The vessel’s crew includes Pakistani nationals, some of them from Karachi, according to reports. Family members have expressed deep concern over the fate of their relatives and have called for swift government intervention.
“My brother-in-law is currently among the crew of an oil tanker that has been hijacked near the Somali coast. It has now been several days, and the situation is becoming increasingly distressing,” a relative told local media, describing growing anxiety among families, particularly children awaiting news of their parents.
Earlier this week, families appealed to authorities to take urgent action, saying the prolonged captivity had caused severe emotional and psychological distress.
Piracy off Somalia’s coastline, once significantly reduced through international naval patrols, has shown signs of resurgence in recent periods, raising concerns among maritime security experts about renewed risks to commercial shipping routes in the Gulf of Aden and the wider Indian Ocean.
The Somali government has repeatedly said it is working with international partners to strengthen maritime security and prevent the return of large-scale piracy networks that previously destabilized one of the world’s most important shipping corridors.
Officials in Mogadishu did not provide further operational details but confirmed that coordination with Pakistan is ongoing as efforts continue to secure the hostages’ release.
No group has officially claimed responsibility for the seizure, and negotiations or rescue operations remain confidential due to the sensitivity of the situation.
