KARACHI: The captors of the oil tanker Honor 25 have refused to negotiate with private entities, demanding direct communication with the Government of Pakistan for the release of the kidnapped crew members. The Ansar Burney Welfare Trust, which has been mediating the crisis, revealed that the Somali pirates have established contact but insist on presenting their demands solely to official state representatives.
The Current Situation The pirates have clearly communicated to the Trust that they will only negotiate with the Pakistani government. As proof of life, photos of the 17 crew members, including 10 Pakistanis, have been released. Despite an email sent by the pirates to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Trust claims there has been no official response or practical step taken by the authorities yet. The kidnappers have also reportedly contacted the governments of Indonesia, Myanmar, and Sri Lanka, as seven crew members belong to these nations.
The Families’ Ordeal The families of the kidnapped citizens gathered outside the Ansar Burney Trust office in Karachi, expressing deep distress and frustration over the government’s perceived inaction. “At this age, I am being forced to run from pillar to post in a state of constant worry,” said 80-year-old Omar Farooq, whose son, Kashif Omar, is among the captives. Another relative, Ali Akbar, brother of captive Imran Ali, urged the government to act on an emergency basis. While the fresh photos provided some relief by confirming the crew is alive, the families remain in the dark regarding any official rescue plan.
Demands for a Formal Committee The affected families have jointly appealed for the formation of a high-level committee to initiate formal dialogue with the hijackers and provide regular updates to the families. While the federal government maintains that it is in contact with relevant stakeholders for the safe recovery of the citizens, the families argue that the lack of a visible focal person has left them feeling abandoned. The Honor 25 was hijacked on April 21, and the crew has now been in captivity for over two weeks.
