Pakistan in contact with Somalia over sailors held hostage by pirates: FO

Pakistan is in contact with the Somali government over the hostage crisis involving Pakistani sailors aboard a hijacked oil tanker, the Foreign Office (FO) said on Thursday.

Last week, armed pirates hijacked the oil tanker near the Somali coast and took 11 Pakistani crew members and the Indonesian captain of the vessel hostage.

Addressing the weekly press briefing, FO Spokesperson Tahir Andrabi said the pirates are also in touch with the ship’s owner.

Hijackings off Somalia have fuelled concerns about a resurgence of Indian Ocean raids by opportunistic pirates. Pirate attacks off the Somali coast peaked in 2011 — with gunmen launching attacks as far as 3,655km from the Somali coast.

The incident also comes at a time of heightened regional tensions and disruptions to shipping routes, including the Strait of Hormuz.

Speaking about the blockaded strait, Andrabi said it is a key transit route for maritime trade and oil shipments, reiterating support for an early restoration of normal maritime flow in the region.

“The closure of the Strait of Hormuz affects the entire world,” he added.

He further elaborated that keeping the Strait of Hormuz open is essential for energy, trade, and the supply of goods, adding, “We hope the negotiations will succeed and the trade route will be restored.”

“We are in contact with the relevant parties on the matter. Regarding negotiations, both new and old proposals are on the table. We hope peace will prevail,” Andrabi said, referring to efforts to bring the United States and Iran on the same page and to bring about an end to hostilities between the two countries.

Following a raid on a “scamming compound” in Cambodia, the spokesperson said that the total number of Pakistani nationals detained in the country has risen to 84, including 76 men and eight women.

He added that “all Pakistani citizens are safe and that Cambodian authorities have assured full cooperation. The Pakistani Embassy has been granted consular access to the detainees”.

“Deputy Head of Mission Bilal Mohsin met the detained Pakistanis, and the Cambodian authorities are providing them with food and medical facilities,” added the FO spokesperson.

He said most of the Pakistanis had travelled to Cambodia after being lured by fake job offers. Some were found working illegally after entering on tourist visas, while others had overstayed their permitted duration.

The spokesperson added that Cambodian authorities are considering waiving fines and that the return of Pakistani nationals is expected after the completion of legal proceedings, while urging citizens to remain cautious of “fraudulent” overseas job schemes.

In an earlier statement, the FO said Cambodian authorities agreed on the early repatriation of 54 Pakistanis arrested following the raid on a “scamming compound”.

The statement came after reports emerged that more than 200 Pakistanis were in the custody of Cambodian police in overcrowded facilities and facing a lack of basic facilities.

“As a result of the embassy’s efforts, the host authorities have agreed to the early repatriation of 54 Pakistani nationals detained in Siem Reap province. These individuals were arrested following a raid on a scamming compound,” it said.