KARACHI – Sindh Governor Nehal Hashmi assured on Monday that 11 Pakistani crew members held hostage by Somali pirates have not been abandoned, and that authorities have been directed to pursue all possible efforts for their release. The announcement came after days of silence following the hijacking of an oil tanker in the Gulf of Aden.
Speaking at a press conference at the Governor’s House in Karachi, Hashmi stated that the affected families had visited his office seeking assistance. “They are not abandoned; the government stands with them,” he said, assuring that the families would be supported during this difficult time.
Hijacking Details
Initial reports indicate that pirates hijacked an oil tanker identified as ‘Owner 25’ (also reported as ‘Honour 25’) on Tuesday in the Gulf of Aden near the Bab-el-Mandeb Strait off the Somali coast. The vessel’s crew includes 11 Pakistani nationals and an Indonesian captain.
The vessel was reportedly en route from Oman to Fujairah in the United Arab Emirates when it was intercepted in international waters.
Government Response
Hashmi said he had held discussions with Minister for Maritime Affairs Junaid Anwar Chaudhry and the foreign secretary, confirming that Pakistan’s embassy is in “full contact” with relevant parties. Authorities have been given the mandate to pursue efforts for the hostages’ release, and contacts have also been made with European Union organisations regarding the matter.
“We are not silent on this matter; work is being done,” he assured.
Minister Chaudhry on Friday sought a detailed report on the hijacking, directing relevant authorities to coordinate with the Foreign Ministry and the Pakistan Navy for the recovery of the hostages. The ministry said all relevant institutions are working together and closely tracking the situation in real time.
Families’ Distress
Family members of the hostages told reporters they last spoke to their loved ones on Friday and that they were facing severe hardship. “They were in great distress and did not even have food,” one relative said. The families also claimed the captors were armed.
“We came to the Governor’s House, and they have given us hope,” they said, though they remain anxious.
Heartbreaking details have emerged about some of the hostages. One crew member, Ameen Shams, is a father of two young children—a three-year-old daughter and a four-month-old son. Kashif has four children, while Hussain has three children, including a nine-year-old son who continues to send voice notes to his father’s contact number.
“They keep sending voice notes to their father’s contact number and listening to those audios is extremely painful. They ask when will baba come back? And we don’t have answer to this question,” read a message circulating on social media from a family member.
Regional Maritime Threats
The hijacking comes at a time of heightened regional tensions. Since the United States and Israel attacked Iran on February 28, Iran has closed the Strait of Hormuz, exacerbating tensions in the Gulf region.
Shipping lines in the Bab-el-Mandeb Strait are now regularly facing threats not only from Somali pirates but also from Yemen’s Houthi movement. Maritime analysts warn that the combination of strategic geography and evolving regional tensions could increase risks for commercial vessels transiting the region.
Maritime Security Concerns
The hijacking highlights renewed safety concerns in key maritime routes after a decade of relative calm. Piracy off the Somalia coast, which had declined significantly due to international naval patrols, has shown signs of resurgence in recent years.
The Bab-el-Mandeb Strait, one of the world’s most critical maritime chokepoints, connects the Red Sea with the Gulf of Aden and serves as a vital passage for global shipping routes heading toward the Suez Canal.
There is no information so far about the name or nationality of the owner or the shipping company operating the hijacked tanker. Authorities have not immediately disclosed these details as diplomatic efforts continue.
Analysis: A Test of Maritime Security Response
The hijacking of an oil tanker with 11 Pakistani crew members is a test of Pakistan’s maritime security response and diplomatic coordination. The government’s multi-track approach — involving the Maritime Affairs Ministry, the Foreign Office, the Pakistan Navy, and international partners — reflects the complexity of the situation.
The involvement of the Indonesian captain adds an international dimension, with Indonesian officials reportedly engaged in negotiating the release of the ship’s captain.
The regional context matters. The Iran-US conflict has already disrupted the Strait of Hormuz; a resurgence of piracy in the Bab-el-Mandeb could create additional pressure on global shipping lanes. Nearly a quarter of the world’s maritime commerce passes through the Red Sea corridor.
For the families of the hostages, every day without news is agonizing. The government has offered assurances — but for the children waiting for their fathers to come home, only action will bring peace.
