Pakistan’s government steps up efforts to free crew held by Somali pirates

Authorities in Pakistan have intensified efforts to secure the release of 11 Pakistani crew members held hostage after an oil tanker was hijacked by Somali pirates in the Gulf of Aden.

According to maritime officials, the vessel, identified as “Owner 25,” was seized near Bab-el-Mandeb Strait off the coast of Somalia earlier this month. The crew included 11 Pakistanis and an Indonesian captain.

Speaking in Karachi, Sindh Governor Nehal Hashmi said that the government of Pakistan is doing everything it can to get the crew members back safely. Moreover, he said that the government is talking to other countries to help get the crew members back.

He also claimed that he has talked to Maritime Affairs Minister Junaid Anwar Chaudhry and other important people in the government about this. The government of Pakistan has even asked some organizations in the European Union for help to get the crew members back

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Maritime Affairs had earlier sought a detailed report on the incident and instructed authorities to work closely with the Foreign Ministry and Pakistan Navy.

However, the families of the crew members are very worried because they have not talked to their loved ones in days. They stated that the crew members are not doing well and do not enough supplies they need to survive. They want the government of Pakistan to do something quickly to get the crew members home safely.

The hijacking highlights renewed safety concerns in key maritime routes. This is a grave problem because it shows that the seas are not safe even with ships from other countries patrolling the area.