Families of Pakistani Hostages Held by Somali Pirates Demand Rescue
Families of ten Pakistani crew members held hostage aboard the Palau-flagged oil tanker MT Honour 25 have protested in Karachi, demanding government intervention for their release. The vessel was seized by Somali pirates on April 21 off the Puntland region, approximately 23 days prior to the protest. Ambreen Fatima, wife of second engineer Syed Hussain Yousuf, highlighted the dire conditions onboard, stating that crew members are surviving on boiled rice and dirty tank water due to a lack of clean supplies. The psychological toll on families is severe, with children suffering from anxiety and stress-related health issues. Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry confirmed that pirates have not contacted Islamabad directly; negotiations are being handled by the shipowner in coordination with Somali authorities. A recent embassy visit to Somalia indicated the captives are safe, but military rescue is deemed too risky due to flammable cargo. This incident occurs amidst a resurgence of piracy in the Gulf of Aden and Indian Ocean, exacerbated by regional geopolitical tensions affecting major shipping lanes.
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