Protesters in Karachi accuse authorities of negligence over 10 sailors held hostage aboard MT Honour 25.
Families of 10 Pakistani sailors held hostage by Somali pirates since mid-April staged emotional protests in Karachi on Wednesday, demanding urgent government intervention for their safe release.
The MT Honour 25, a Palau-flagged product tanker carrying approximately 18,000 barrels of oil, was hijacked on April 21, 2026, about 30 nautical miles off Somalia’s semi-autonomous Puntland region. The vessel, which had 17 crew members on board, remains anchored near the Somali coast.
Ten of the crew are Pakistani nationals, with others from Indonesia, India, Sri Lanka and Myanmar. Families say the hostages are facing severe hardships, including shortages of food, clean water and medicine.
Families Protest for Hijacked Pakistani Crew Release:
Holding placards reading “Bring Them Back”, “No Action, No Statement” and “How Much More Negligence?”, relatives gathered near the Native Jetty Bridge, voicing frustration over what they describe as government inaction more than three weeks after the hijacking.
“We have no information. Our loved ones are drinking dirty water from the ship’s tanks. They have no food left,” one family member told reporters. Several protesters broke down in tears while displaying photos of the missing sailors.
Pakistan Seeks Release of Hijacked Crew as Somali Piracy Crisis Deepens:
Pakistan’s Foreign Office has said it is in contact with Somali authorities and is working through diplomatic channels, including the embassy in Djibouti, to secure the crew’s release. However, families claim they have received little concrete information or updates on negotiations.
The incident has revived fears of a resurgence in Somali piracy in the region, which had significantly declined in recent years. Analysts link the renewed attacks partly to instability following recent regional conflicts.
As the crisis drags on, pressure is mounting on the Pakistani government to explore all options-including direct engagement with intermediaries-to ensure the safe return of its citizens. Many of the affected families hail from Karachi and belong to seafaring communities that depend heavily on maritime employment.
The fate of the Pakistani crew aboard the Honour 25 remains uncertain, with fears growing over their deteriorating conditions amid prolonged captivity.