Pakistani Families Protest as Crew Remain Hostage on Somali-Pirated Tanker

On 21 April, Somali pirates seized the Palau-flagged tanker MT Honour 25 about 30 nautical miles off Puntland, Somalia. The ship carried 17 crew, ten Pakistani, now held for 23 days. Clean water ran out, forcing them to drink contaminated tank water and survive on boiled rice.

Reuters

Piracy off Gulf of Aden and Indian Ocean fell in 2025 but rose in 2026 after Strait of Hormuz closed amid Iran-Israel conflict, boosting reliance on this shipping lane for oil and goods. The incident underscores renewed piracy threats to a route bearing more cargo, raising concerns for insurers, ship owners, and nations dependent on sea-borne trade.

Reuters

21 April 2026 – MT Honour 25 seized off Puntland; May call showed crew unwell. 7-10 May – Pakistan’s Djibouti-based embassy team visited Somalia, citing flammable cargo blocked storming. 13 May – Families protested at Karachi’s Port Trust Bridge demanding release.

Reuters

At Karachi’s Port Trust Bridge, Ambreen Fatima and relatives displayed placards; her daughter was hospitalised and her 16-year-old son, “says his brain isn’t functioning.” Crew who contacted families reported drinking dirty tank water and surviving on boiled-rice meal daily. The families accused the government of slow action, urging diplomatic pressure on Somali authorities and ship owner to secure release.

Reuters

Pakistan's foreign-ministry spokesperson Tahir Andrabi said the ship’s owner is negotiating with pirates, Somali government is keeping Islamabad updated, and Pakistan said it is doing its best, while Ministry of Maritime Affairs coordinates families. Somali authorities said flammable cargo prevents a storming operation; pirates have not contacted Pakistan.

Reuters

Sources differ on the pirates’ willingness to negotiate; officials say no direct contact has been made, while crew reports of deteriorating health remain unverified. The Somali government’s inability to board the vessel leaves the captives’ exact condition unclear.

Reuters

• "He says his brain isn't functioning. He's worried about his dad and that's all that's on his mind." — Ambreen Fatima

Reuters

• "The ship owner is negotiating with the pirates and is in touch with the Somali government, which is keeping Pakistan informed of updates." — Tahir Andrabi

Reuters

• "We are doing our best." — Tahir Andrabi

Reuters

• "He still thinks his dad is going to come soon." — Mehwish Yasir

Reuters

Pakistan’s Ministry of Maritime Affairs will continue coordinating with the ship owner, Somali authorities, and families while monitoring negotiations. International maritime agencies have warned of heightened piracy risk, and further diplomatic outreach is expected in the coming weeks.

Reuters