KARACHI: Somali pirates are reported to have hijacked an oil tanker off the coast of Somalia, taking more than 10 Pakistani crew members hostage, shipping sources and families confirmed the other day.
The vessel, Honour 25, was boarded on April 21 and remains under pirate control. Eleven Pakistani sailors are believed to be on board.
An audio message, purportedly recorded by one of the hostages, Amin Bin Shams, has circulated widely on social media. In the recording, Shams tearfully informs his father of the situation, saying the crew is being taken away and may be killed. He also asks for forgiveness and urges his family to remain strong.
His father, speaking to a local television channel, said Shams was their only child and had gone abroad for employment. “We appeal to the Government of Pakistan to bring him back safely,” he said.
The hostage’s wife, Ayesha, said her husband had told them the crew was being threatened with aerial firing and moved to an unknown location. “I have not even properly met my child yet, and I don’t think I will ever see him again,” she said.
Shipping sources confirmed that Indonesian authorities are attempting to negotiate the release of the vessel’s Indonesian captain. However, Pakistan’s Ministry of Maritime Affairs has not yet established contact with the crew, while the manning agency responsible for the vessel has remained silent.
Family members of the Pakistani crew have urged the government to take urgent steps for their safe recovery, expressing concern over the lack of official communication.
