Four Pakistanis freed from Somali pirates, due back in Karachi tomorrow

Dar shared the update on social media platform X, confirming that Yaser Khan, Aqeel Khan, Ameen bin Shams and Usmani Ghani would reach Karachi on Saturday, October 3. Dar said the Pakistani Embassy in Djibouti was working to secure the release and repatriation of the nationals.

He also expressed condolences to the families of the three Pakistanis who lost their lives, acknowledging the grief they were experiencing. Three other Pakistanis, identified as Imran Ali, Yaseen Muhammad and Syed Yusuf Hussain, remain part of the efforts to bring the affected crew members home safely.

Dar said Pakistan was in contact with friendly countries to facilitate their safe return. He added that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs was working under the direction of the prime minister to ensure the repatriation of all Pakistani nationals involved in the incident.

The Somali government has also expressed sorrow over the deaths of the Pakistani citizens and pledged assistance in returning their bodies to Pakistan. The incident occurred during an operation by Somalia’s maritime police to recover the oil tanker Honour 25 from pirates., the pirates opened fire during the operation, killing three Pakistani nationals, one Indian citizen and one Myanmar national.

Four other Pakistanis were injured in the shooting. Somali authorities said five crew members aboard the tanker were killed in the Puntland region of Somalia. Security forces arrested nine pirates during the operation,.

Authorities are continuing efforts to facilitate the return of the affected Pakistanis and the bodies of those killed.