ISLAMABAD — The Pakistani government has called for intensified diplomatic efforts to secure the release of 10 Pakistani seafarers who have been held in Somalia for several months following the hijacking of the MT Honour 25 oil tanker off the coast of Puntland. Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar chaired a high-level meeting to review the situation and directed intensified engagement with Somali authorities and international partners .
The sailors were among 17 crew members aboard the Palau-flagged vessel, which was seized on April 21, 2026, off Somalia’s semi-autonomous Puntland region. The hostages also include seven Indonesians, including the captain, as well as one Indian and one Sri Lankan . The case has drawn increasing concern after repeated distress appeals from the crew during their captivity, with hostages reporting shortages of food, clean water, and medicine .
Somalia and Pakistan have maintained close diplomatic engagement on the hostage situation, with Foreign Minister Abdisalam Ali and his Pakistani counterpart Ishaq Dar discussing the matter in phone calls and bilateral meetings .
Islamabad has stated that the situation is being closely monitored and expressed hope that sustained diplomatic engagement and cooperation would lead to a positive outcome . Pakistan’s embassy in Djibouti, which is accredited to Somalia, has maintained contact with Somali officials, and Pakistani diplomats have traveled to Mogadishu to obtain first-hand information about the case .
Worsening Conditions and Urgent Appeals
On August 7, more than 100 days after the vessel was seized, the hostages released another video message urging the Pakistani government to help secure their freedom. In two messages, the Pakistani and foreign crew members appeared to be in severe distress, with many looking weak and unwell, and appealed for talks with the pirates .
Since the hijacking, the crew has issued several emotional video and audio messages saying they had run out of clean water, food and medicine. Earlier, under the supervision of the pirates, there were also phone calls and videos sent to families to pressure them into arranging ransom money, though those messages had stopped after mid-June before the latest appeal surfaced .
Pakistan and Somalia have pledged to boost cooperation in counterterrorism and security, with Pakistan offering training and support to Somali security forces . This broader partnership underscores the importance of maintaining close ties between the two nations .
Somalia and Pakistan have been strengthening ties in law enforcement and border management, with Interior Minister Ali Yusuf Ali leading a high-level delegation to Islamabad for talks on national identification, civil registration, and disaster response .
Somalia has partnered with Pakistan to enhance its national ID system, with Pakistan assisting in the digitalisation of identity management systems, civil registration, and border management.
The hostage crisis has also been complicated by an ownership dispute surrounding the tanker, with uncertainty over who actually owns the ship. The man initially believed to be the owner was later understood to be more likely a middleman who had hired the crew .
Critical Note
While Pakistan’s diplomatic efforts to secure the release of its citizens are commendable, the prolonged detention of the MT Honour 25 crew highlights the persistent security challenges facing Somalia’s maritime domain. The incident underscores the need for continued international cooperation to combat piracy and ensure the safety of shipping lanes off the Somali coast.
The Somali government must demonstrate its commitment to resolving this case and ensuring the safe return of the hostages. Failure to do so could damage Somalia’s international reputation and undermine the progress made in reducing piracy in recent years. The international community should support both Pakistan and Somalia in finding a resolution and in strengthening maritime security to prevent future incidents.
