KARACHI: An oil tanker has been hijacked by pirates off the coast of Somalia, with 11 Pakistani crew members confirmed to be among those held hostage.
According to shipping sources, the vessel, identified as Owner 25, was attacked and seized by pirates on April 21, 2026. Since the hijacking, the Directorate of Ports under the Ministry of Maritime Affairs has been unable to establish contact with the Pakistani crew. The sources further added that the vessel name is Owner 25, the date of hijacking was April 21, and the missing Pakistani crew consists of 11 members. Currently, communication remains lost and the recruiting agency remains silent.
Families Call for Urgent Action Speaking to private media outlets, the families of the abducted crew members expressed deep concern over the lack of official updates. They revealed that the Indonesian government is already in negotiations with the pirates to secure the release of the ship’s Indonesian captain.
The distressed families have urged the Government of Pakistan and the Ministry of Maritime Affairs to take immediate diplomatic and security measures to ensure the safe and timely recovery of the 11 Pakistani nationals. Despite the gravity of the situation, the agency responsible for the crew’s placement has yet to issue a formal statement or provide details regarding the safety of the men on board.
