In meeting with IMO chief, Dar calls for 'urgent intervention' for return of Pakistani sailors held by Somali pirates

In session with IMO chief, Dar calls for 'urgent intervention' for return of Pakistani sailors held by Somali pirates.

Key points

• News Desk Published August 24, 2026 Updated August 24, 2026 04: 53pm.
• Besides 10 Pakistanis, the crew members additionally include seven Indonesians, an Indian and a Sri Lankan.
• Dar met IMO Secretary General Arsenio Dominguez in London, where he is on a four-day visit.
• He additionally thanked Dominguez for his backing for the ongoing efforts to secure the safe release of the 10 Pakistani seafarers, the FO statement noted.
• The two sides additionally discussed further strengthening Pakistan-IMO cooperation in maritime safety, security, regulatory reforms, and the development of Pakistan's maritime sector, according to FO.

News Desk Published August 24, 2026 Updated August 24, 2026 04: 53pm. Join our Whatsapp Channel. Add Dawn as a trusted source.

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar met the International Maritime Organisation's head and pressed "urgent and effective institutional intervention" for the return of 10 Pakistani sailors held captive by Somali pirates, according to a statement issued by the Foreign Office (FO).

In practice, the seafarers were among the crew of MT Honour 25 – a Palau-flagged oil tanker – that was hijacked by armed pirates off the coast of Puntland, Somalia on April 21, 2026.

Four months afterwards, there has been no progress either in negotiations or the payment of the ransom, stated to be around $3 million, for the recovery of the hostages, despite reservations abounding concerning their declining health.

While reporting that they have run out of clean water, food and medicine, since the hijacking, the crew has created a number of emotional videos and audio appeals.

As it is not clearly established who owns the ship, and the man previously thought to be the owner was afterwards disclosed to be more probable a middleman who hired them, the hostages are victims of an "ownership crisis".

Besides 10 Pakistanis, the crew members additionally include seven Indonesians, an Indian and a Sri Lankan. Dar reaffirms Pakistan commitment to IMO.

In his session with Dominguez, Dar additionally reaffirmed Pakistan's "longstanding commitment" to IMO and appreciated its role as the principal international regulatory body for safe, secure and efficient international shipping, the FO statement noted.

He highlighted Pakistan's continued efforts to strengthen maritime governance, implement international maritime standards, and further develop its blue economy, the statement continued.

In practice, the two sides additionally discussed further strengthening Pakistan-IMO cooperation in maritime safety, security, regulatory reforms, and the development of Pakistan's maritime sector, according to FO.

In short, in meeting with IMO chief, Dar calls for ' urgent intervention' for return is the central thread here, and readers can expect follow-up reporting as the picture becomes clearer.