Families of Pakistani seamen held hostage by Somali pirates staged a protest in Karachi on Wednesday, demanding urgent government action to secure the safe return of their loved ones.
According to reports, the seamen are among 10 Pakistani crew members aboard the MT Honour 25, a Palau-flagged oil tanker that was hijacked approximately 23 days ago near Somalia’s Puntland region. The vessel was seized on April 21 while carrying a total of 17 crew members.
Read More: Pakistani sailors held by Somali pirates appeal for help
Protesters, including women and children, gathered near Karachi’s port area holding placards and chanting slogans calling for the safe recovery of the captives. Families expressed growing distress over the situation, saying the prolonged captivity has severely affected their mental and physical well-being.
Families of 10 Pakistani crew members from the Honour 25 rallied in Karachi to demand their release after more than three weeks in Somali pirate captivity.
Hijackings off the coast of Somalia are surging amid regional instability from the US-Israeli war on Iran. pic.twitter.com/XNEmv8mOzm
— Al Jazeera English (@AJEnglish) May 14, 2026
One family member said her husband, who serves as second engineer on the vessel, last appeared weak during a brief video call allowed by the captors. She added that the family has been struggling with constant anxiety since his capture.
Another protester said her daughter had been hospitalised due to stress, while her son was unable to focus on school exams because of ongoing worry about his father’s condition.
The Foreign Ministry spokesperson confirmed that the pirates have not made direct contact with the Pakistani government. He said negotiations are being handled by the ship’s owner in coordination with Somali authorities, who are keeping Pakistan informed of developments.
Officials also stated that a Pakistani embassy team in Djibouti recently visited Somalia and was told the hostages were safe. However, Somali authorities are reportedly unable to storm the vessel due to concerns that it is carrying flammable cargo.
Reports suggest the crew is facing difficult conditions on board, including shortages of clean water and limited food supplies, with sailors surviving on minimal rations.
Read More: “Help us please”: Pakistani sailors trapped by pirates
Maritime security experts note that piracy incidents in the region are rising again after a relative decline, raising concerns over shipping routes passing through the Gulf of Aden and surrounding waters. Authorities continue to monitor the situation as diplomatic and maritime channels work toward a resolution.