Somali hostage-taking: Efforts are intensified for release of Pakistanis: FO

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has stepped up efforts for the safe and early release of 10 Pakistani nationals held hostage aboard MT Honour 25 after the vessel was hijacked by pirates off the Somali coast, the Foreign Office said in a statement on Thursday.

Authorities are coordinating with Somali officials, international partners and relevant organizations to secure the safe return of the hostages.

According to the FO statement, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister (DPM/FM) Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar chaired a high-level meeting to review Pakistan’s intensified efforts for the safe and early release of 10 Pakistani hostages aboard MT Honour 25, following the vessel’s hijacking by pirates off the Somali coast.

The DPM/FM directed all relevant stakeholders to maintain close and regular coordination and intensify diplomatic engagement with national and international partners, including the Somali authorities and relevant international organizations, to facilitate the safe release of our citizens.

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