Islamabad: Pakistan is in contact with the Somali government over a hostage situation involving Pakistani sailors aboard a hijacked oil tanker, the Foreign Office (FO) said on Thursday.
According to officials, armed pirates seized the oil tanker last week near the Somali coast and took 11 Pakistani crew members along with the vessel’s Indonesian captain hostage.
During the weekly press briefing, FO spokesperson Tahir Andrabi said that the pirates are also maintaining contact with the ship’s owner as the situation develops.
He noted that hijackings in waters off Somalia have raised concerns about a possible resurgence of piracy in the Indian Ocean, where opportunistic attacks have been increasing. At its peak in 2011, piracy off the Somali coast had reached alarming levels, with armed groups launching raids as far as 3,655 kilometres from the shoreline.
The incident has also come at a time of rising regional tensions and ongoing disruptions to global shipping routes, including the strategically important Strait of Hormuz.
Speaking about the Strait of Hormuz, Andrabi said it remains a vital passage for international maritime trade and oil transportation, and reiterated Pakistan’s support for the swift restoration of normal shipping activity in the region.
He added that “the closure of the Strait of Hormuz affects the entire world,” highlighting its global economic importance.
He further stressed that keeping the strait open is essential for energy supplies, international trade, and the smooth flow 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,” the FO spokesperson said, referring to diplomatic efforts involving the United States and Iran aimed at reducing tensions and ending hostilities.
Separately, following a raid on a so-called “scamming compound” in Cambodia, the spokesperson said the number of Pakistani nationals detained in the country has increased to 84, including 76 men and eight women.
He said all Pakistani citizens are safe, and Cambodian authorities have assured full cooperation. He added that the Pakistani Embassy has been granted consular access to the detainees.
According to Andrabi, Deputy Head of Mission Bilal Mohsin met the detained Pakistanis, while Cambodian authorities are providing them with food and medical care.
He further explained that most of the detained Pakistanis were lured to Cambodia through fake job offers. Some were found working illegally after entering on tourist visas, while others had overstayed their permitted time.
The spokesperson added that Cambodian authorities are also considering waiving fines, and the repatriation of Pakistani nationals is expected after legal procedures are completed. He urged citizens to remain cautious of fraudulent overseas job schemes.
In an earlier update, the FO had said that Cambodian authorities agreed to the early repatriation of 54 Pakistanis detained after the raid on the scamming compound.
The statement followed reports that more than 200 Pakistanis were being held by Cambodian police in overcrowded facilities with limited basic amenities.
It added that, as a result of diplomatic efforts by the Pakistani Embassy, authorities agreed to facilitate the early return of 54 Pakistani nationals detained in Siem Reap province following the crackdown.