Pakistan seeks IMO help to release 10 hijacked seafarers

Pakistan's Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Ishaq Dar, has requested urgent intervention from the International Maritime Organization (IMO) to secure the release of 10 Pakistani seafarers. The crew members are being held captive following the hijacking of the MT Honour 25, a Palau-flagged product tanker, on April 21, 2026, near the Puntland region of Somalia.

During a meeting with IMO Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez in London, Dar called for effective institutional action to ensure the safe return of the sailors. The vessel's crew includes 10 Pakistanis, seven Indonesians, one Indian, and one Sri Lankan. Reports indicate that negotiations have seen little progress four months after the seizure, with ransom demands reportedly reaching approximately $3 million. The crew has issued appeals citing shortages of food, clean water, and essential medicines.

In addition to the hijacking, Dar and Dominguez discussed strengthening cooperation regarding maritime safety, security, and regulatory reforms to support Pakistan’s maritime sector and blue economy.