In Karachi, relatives of Pakistani sailors held hostage by Somali pirates were briefly detained during a protest on Monday morning. These family members were gathered on Sharea Faisal, demanding the release of their loved ones who have been captives on the MT Honour 25 for over four months.
The Hijacking of MT Honour 25
The MT Honour 25, an oil tanker flying the flag of Palau, was seized by armed pirates off the coast of Puntland, Somalia, on April 21. Among the hostages are 10 Pakistani crew members, as well as sailors from Indonesia, India, and Sri Lanka.
Despite the duration of their captivity, there has been little headway in negotiations or the payment of the $3 million ransom demanded for their release. The families of the hostages have organized several demonstrations calling for action.
Protest and Detainment
The families began a sit-in outside the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ liaison office on Sunday night, intending to march to the Supreme Court registry the following morning. However, police intervened early on Monday, detaining several protesters.
Ayesha Ameen, whose husband is among the hostages, confirmed that the detained individuals were later released. She expressed frustration over the police’s behavior, stating they were initially not allowed to see their relatives at the police station.
According to Ayesha, around 11 protesters, including minors, were taken to the Tipu Sultan police station. A police official, speaking anonymously, confirmed the release but denied any arrests, claiming that the police had been in dialogue with the protesters since the previous night.
Protesters’ Plea and Police Response
The police claimed to have urged the families to relocate their protest to a designated area like the Karachi Press Club, assuring that no force was used to disperse them.
In a video message recorded at the protest site, Ayesha highlighted the families’ peaceful approach, stating they were not blocking roads or engaging in illegal activities. She emphasized their sole demand: the release of the hostages.
Another protester, Talib Raza, expressed disappointment in a video taken inside a police van, criticizing the detention of women, elders, and children. The protestors voiced their grievances against the government and police for their treatment.
Hostages’ Dire Situation
The hostages have communicated their dire conditions through emotional videos and audio messages, reporting a lack of clean water, food, and medicine. Their last message, dated August 7, was a direct plea to the Pakistani government for intervention.
The situation is complicated by an “ownership crisis,” as the actual owner of the ship remains unidentified, with the supposed owner being merely a middleman.
Efforts for the hostages’ release include Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar’s meeting with the International Maritime Organisation to advocate for their return and ongoing diplomatic engagements by the Foreign Office.
