Pakistan working for safe release of crew held by Somali pirates, Foreign Office says

Pakistan's Foreign Office said Tuesday it is pursuing intensive diplomatic efforts to secure the release of 11 Pakistani crew members taken hostage after Somali pirates hijacked an oil tanker off the Somali coast on April 21.

The vessel, an Indonesian-flagged tanker owned by a private shipping company, was seized by armed pirates who also took the Indonesian captain hostage.

Sindh Governor Syed Muhammad Nehal Hashmi met the crew's families in Karachi on Monday to assure them the government had not abandoned them.

What is Pakistan doing to free the crew held by Somali pirates?

Pakistan is engaging Indonesian authorities, the Combined Task Force led by the United Kingdom, and the European Union to coordinate pressure on the pirates.

Foreign Office spokesperson Tahir Andrabi said diplomatic engagement and negotiations between the shipping company and the pirates remain the most practical course of action.

He stressed that any force-based operation could endanger the lives of the detained crew.

Why can't Pakistan intervene directly to free the hostages?

Andrabi said three factors limit Pakistan's ability to act directly. First, the vessel is not Pakistani-owned and is privately operated, which restricts Islamabad's legal standing. Second, the incident occurred outside Pakistan's maritime jurisdiction.

Third, Somali authorities have limited control over pirate groups operating in the region. Pakistan is therefore relying on coordinated international pressure and negotiations to secure the crew's safe return.

The Combined Task Force, currently led by the United Kingdom, has been asked to facilitate international coordination.

Pakistan has also raised the matter with the Somali government and is in contact with the EU to support the diplomatic effort. Andrabi said the Foreign Ministry is actively monitoring the situation and remains fully committed to securing the repatriation of the Pakistani crew.

What have the crew's families said about the hostage situation?

Family members have appealed for urgent government action, reporting that the crew is in distress with limited food and that last contact was made around April 24.

A video showing Pakistani crew members in captivity has also circulated online, intensifying public concern.

Sindh Governor Hashmi, speaking alongside families at a press briefing in Karachi, said the government was in constant contact with international partners and was using all available diplomatic channels to resolve the crisis.