The chemical and oil tanker Honour 25 was hijacked by pirates off the coast of Somalia on April 21 and remains in captivity, with its crew held hostage in the Somali Sea. This prolonged ordeal has heightened humanitarian concerns and highlighted the vulnerability of seafarers navigating one of the world’s most dangerous maritime routes.

Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs Junaid Anwar Chaudhry recently spoke by phone with Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar about securing the safe release of the Pakistani crew detained aboard the Somali vessel.

Chaudhry also reached out to the Somali Ambassador in Pakistan, urging urgent and effective measures to ensure the crew’s early and safe release. He emphasized that humanitarian efforts began immediately in April when the incident was first reported. The Ministry of Maritime Affairs remains in constant coordination with the Foreign Office and the Somali Embassy.

“The government is actively working to secure the safe return of Pakistani citizens,” stated Junaid Anwar Chaudhry.