Desperate Protests in Karachi: Families Demand Release of Hostages from Somali Pirates
Families in Karachi protested for the release of loved ones aboard a seized oil tanker, taken by Somali pirates. Ten Pakistani crew members are among the captives, surviving on dirty water. The situation has sparked stress and panic among families as they hold out hope for a resolution.
In Karachi, families staged a heartfelt protest on Wednesday demanding the release of their relatives, crew members of an oil tanker captured by Somali pirates. Among them was Ambreen Fatima, who, with her children, pleaded for the return of her husband, Syed Hussain Yousuf, who is struggling to survive on the vessel.
The MT Honour 25, a Palau-flagged product tanker, was intercepted on April 21 off Somalia's Puntland region. With 17 crew members onboard, including 10 Pakistanis, survival conditions are dire. Water is scarce and unclean, with crew rationed to boiled rice. Fatima's son faces concentration issues amid annual exams due to his father's plight.
The government has remained in contact with Somali authorities through Pakistan's envoy in Djibouti, yet negotiations remain stagnant. As hijackings persist in the region, tension escalates among families, reflecting the maritime risks in these key shipping lanes as global diplomatic efforts continue.
(With inputs from agencies.)
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