Pakistan seeks Somalia’s help in freeing crew of hijacked oil tanker

Pakistan's Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar held talks with Somalia's Foreign Minister Abdisalam Ali on Tuesday to press for the release of Pakistani nationals held aboard the hijacked oil tanker MT Honour 25.

The Foreign Office said both sides discussed coordination mechanisms for the crew's safe recovery, following the vessel's seizure off the Somali coast in April 2026.

What is the MT Honour 25 hijacking situation?

The MT Honour 25 is a Palau-flagged oil tanker seized by armed pirates on April 21, approximately 30 nautical miles off Somalia's Puntland region.

The vessel was carrying 17 crew members, including 10 Pakistani nationals. Pirates have since demanded a $3 million ransom for their release.

What did Pakistan and Somalia agree in the talks?

During the call, Dar expressed serious concern over the welfare of the hostages and stressed the need for their immediate release and repatriation to Pakistan.

Foreign Minister Abdisalam Ali assured his counterpart that Somalia was making sustained efforts to secure the crew's release at the earliest opportunity. Both sides agreed to remain in close contact until the matter is resolved.

What are conditions like for the hostages?

Conditions aboard the vessel remain dire, according to relatives and rights groups. Crew members have reported severe shortages of clean drinking water, with sailors reportedly surviving on contaminated tank water and one meal of boiled rice per day. Several hostages are said to be suffering from stress-related illnesses and lack access to essential medication.

Families in Karachi have staged repeated demonstrations urging authorities to intensify diplomatic and rescue efforts. A previously released video showed all 17 crew members appearing visibly distressed. Children of some crew members have experienced anxiety and panic attacks since the hijacking.

When did pirates first make contact after the hijacking?

The Ansar Burney Trust said it received the $3 million ransom demand via WhatsApp on May 18, from the group's leader, nearly four weeks after the seizure.

The communication marked the first formal contact since the April 21 hijacking, ending weeks of silence that had left families and officials with limited information.

Is Somali piracy on the rise again in 2026?

Piracy off Somalia's coast, which had declined significantly in recent years, has shown signs of resurgence in 2026. At least three hijackings were reported off Puntland in April alone.

The UK Maritime Trade Operations has since warned of a substantial rise in maritime risk in the region and advised vessels to exercise heightened caution.

Analysts say the renewed activity coincides with shifting global shipping routes and increased maritime traffic through Somali waters following disruptions in other strategic sea lanes.

The MT Honour 25 case has renewed international concern over a threat widely considered to have been largely contained in previous years.