As the submersible rescue operation goes on, Sabrina Dawood said that her brother Shahzada Dawood and nephew Suleman Dawood will be “moved” by the “global community’s” support.
The Dawoods belong to one of Pakistan’s most prominent families, whose firm invests across the country in agriculture, industries and the health sector.
Both Shahzada and Suleman Dawood are British citizens.
Shahzada Dawood is also a trustee at the SETI Institute – a Silicon Valley not-for-profit working in space exploration.
The Dawoods are two of five passengers on the small submersible operated by OceanGate – a US-based company which offers crewed submersibles for industry, research and exploration.
The sister and aunt of two passengers on board the missing Titan submersible have said the family’s “sole focus” is their rescue.
Sabrina Dawood – the sister of businessman Shahzada Dawood, 48, who is a passenger along with his 19-year-old son Suleman – acknowledged the global interest in finding her relatives.
Also read; How did the submersible, with two Pakistanis on board, go missing near Titanic wreck?
“We are deeply grateful for the efforts of news agencies during this difficult time; your constant coverage of the missing Titan submersible is undoubtedly playing a large role in the world’s ability to access relevant updates on the matter,” she told Sky News.
“At this time, the Dawood family’s sole focus is the rescue of our beloved Shahzada and Suleman Dawood and we are unable to address any questions or comments at the moment,” She added.
Shahzada Dawood, like the other passengers on the vanished submersible, enjoys exploring new places.
According to friends and family, the 48-year-old British Pakistani businessman who boarded the ship with his 19-year-old son Suleman did so because he has a lifelong interest for research and exploration.
“Traveling, science, are part of his DNA,” said Ahsen Uddin Syed, a friend of Mr. Dawood who used to work with him at the Engro Corporation, a business conglomerate where Mr. Dawood is the vice chairman.
Mr. Syed said that Mr. Dawood loves Star Trek and Star Wars, and is also fond of nature, often traveling to faraway places and sharing pictures of his adventures.