Mogadishu (Kaab TV) – Somali pirates have demanded direct talks with representatives of the Government of Pakistan, according to sources close to the group, as concern grows among the families of the hostages.
The pirates have also released new photos showing 17 crew members of the vessel Honor 25, including 10 Pakistani nationals, who have been held since the ship was hijacked on April 21. For the past two weeks, the families of the hostages have been living in constant fear and anxiety over the safety of their loved ones.
Ansar Burney, chairman of the Ansar Burney Trust, said that although some contact has been established with the pirates, the government has yet to take any effective action to address the situation.
Qurat-ul-Ain, a director at the organization, stated that the pirates made it clear they would only present their demands to an official representative of the Pakistani government. However, there has been no response, even to emails sent to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. She also noted that the pirates have reached out to the governments of Indonesia, Myanmar, and Sri Lanka, as seven of the crew members are from those countries.
Meanwhile, Pakistan’s federal government says it is in contact with relevant parties to secure the release of its detained citizens.
Eighty-year-old Umar Farooq said he has been making relentless efforts to secure his son’s release. “At this age, I am forced to run from place to place in distress,” he said, noting that his son, Kashif Umar, is among those being held.
Similarly, Ali Akbar, brother of hostage Imran Ali, urged the government to take immediate action to rescue the Pakistani nationals. He said the latest photos of the hostages have given families some hope, as they confirm their loved ones are still alive.
The families of the hostages gathered at the Ansar Burney Trust office, jointly calling for at least the formation of an official committee to provide regular updates on efforts to secure their relatives’ release. They said they feel confused and abandoned, unsure of where to seek help or whom to contact.