london(National Times)- Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar met the International Maritime Organisation’s head and called for “urgent and effective institutional intervention” for the return of 10 Pakistani sailors held captive by Somali pirates, according to a statement issued by the Foreign Office (FO).
Dar met IMO Secretary General Arsenio Dominguez in London, where he is on a four-day visit.
He also thanked Dominguez for his support for the ongoing efforts to secure the safe release of the 10 Pakistani seafarers, the FO statement said.
The seafarers were among the crew of MT Honour 25 — a Palau-flagged oil tanker — that was hijacked by armed pirates off the coast of Puntland, Somalia on April 21, 2026.
Four months later, there has been no progress either in negotiations or the payment of the ransom, said to be around $3 million, for the recovery of the hostages, despite concerns abounding about their declining health.
Since the hijacking, the crew has made several emotional videos and audio appeals, while reporting that they have run out of clean water, food and medicine.
The hostages are victims of an “ownership crisis”, as it is not clearly established who owns the ship, and the man previously thought to be the owner was later revealed to be more likely a middleman who hired them.
Besides 10 Pakistanis, the crew members also include seven Indonesians, an Indian and a Sri Lankan.
Dar reaffirms Pakistan commitment to IMO
In his meeting with Dominguez, Dar also reaffirmed Pakistan’s “longstanding commitment” to IMO and appreciated its role as the principal international regulatory body for safe, secure and efficient international shipping, the FO statement said.
He highlighted Pakistan’s continued efforts to strengthen maritime governance, implement international maritime standards, and further develop its blue economy, the statement added.
The two sides also discussed further strengthening Pakistan-IMO cooperation in maritime safety, security, regulatory reforms, and the development of Pakistan’s maritime sector, according to the FO.
Dar reached the United Kingdom on Sunday, ahead of a four-day official visit that began today.
FO said that during the visit, Dar would meet UK Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband and Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) Minister of State for Pakistan Stephen Doughty, as well as other senior members of the government. He is also expected to meet British parliamentarians and representatives of the Pakistani diaspora in the UK.
The visit comes after the two countries agreed to intensify bilateral trade engagement and strengthen business-to-business cooperation in July. The two sides had explored upgrading an existing Trade Dialogue into a more structured economic and trade framework.
