Families of Pakistani seamen gathered in Karachi this week to demand the urgent release of crew members held by Somali pirates [1, 2].
The protests highlight the vulnerability of merchant sailors and the pressure on the Pakistani government to negotiate the safety of its citizens in high-risk waters.
The crisis began on April 21, 2026, when the Palau-flagged oil tanker MT Honour 25 was seized off the coast of Somalia’s Puntland region [1, 3]. In total, 17 crew members were on board the vessel at the time of the hijacking [6].
Reports on the number of Pakistani nationals among the captives vary. Some sources state there are 10 Pakistani crew members [1], while other reports cite 11 [2].
Protesters, including Ambreen Fatima, converged in Karachi on May 13 and 14 to call for government intervention [1, 2]. By the time of the May 13 protest, the crew had been held for 23 days [1]. The families are urging the state to secure the safe return of the sailors, who remain in the custody of the pirates.
The Sindh governor said the government is working to free the Pakistanis held hostage [2]. This effort comes as families express growing desperation over the lack of a resolution since the vessel was taken in April.
Maritime security in the region remains a critical concern for international shipping. The hijacking of the MT Honour 25 is the latest in a series of incidents involving the seizure of commercial vessels, and the subsequent demand for ransoms to release the crews.
“Families are demanding that the Pakistani government secure the safe release of the crew”
The hijacking of the MT Honour 25 underscores the persistent threat of piracy in the Puntland region despite international maritime patrols. For the Pakistani government, the situation creates a diplomatic and domestic challenge, as it must balance the safety of its citizens with the risks associated with paying ransoms to pirate networks, which can incentivize further attacks on commercial shipping.
