Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi on Saturday confirmed that a liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) tanker carrying 27 crew members, including 24 Pakistani nationals, has been safely released by the Houthis and is now out of Yemeni waters.
In a post shared on X, Naqvi expressed gratitude over the development, stating: “Alhamdulillah, the tanker and its crew have now been released by the Houthis and are out of Yemeni waters.” He identified the Pakistani crew members, including Captain Mukhtar Akbar, along with two Sri Lankans and one Nepali, who were all freed.
The tanker came under attack on 17 September 2025 when an Israeli drone struck while it was docked at Ras al-Esa port, which is under Houthi control. The strike caused one LPG tank to explode, but the crew managed to contain the fire. Following the incident, Houthi boats intercepted the vessel and held the crew hostage aboard the ship.
Naqvi highlighted the joint efforts made to secure the release, saying he was “profoundly grateful” to Secretary Interior Khurram Agha, senior officers of the Ministry of Interior, Ambassador Naveed Bokhari and his diplomatic team in Oman, as well as colleagues in Saudi Arabia and Pakistani security agencies.
He emphasized that these institutions worked tirelessly under extraordinary circumstances to ensure the safety of the hostages.
Earlier, the Foreign Office also confirmed the successful release, noting that Pakistani embassies had been in touch with Yemeni authorities throughout the ordeal to safeguard the well-being of the crew.
FO spokesperson Shafqat Ali Khan said diplomatic missions remained in constant contact with the crew’s families to keep them informed about developments.
He further stated that the LPG tanker has now departed port and is sailing out of Yemeni waters, with all crew members, including the Pakistani nationals, confirmed safe and in good health.
