ISLAMABAD: The government has provided Rs26 million to each of the three families of Pakistani sailors who lost their lives during a hostage crisis involving Somali pirates.
Sindh Governor Nehal Hashmi distributed the cheques among the bereaved families on Thursday under the special directives of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.
The deceased sailors were identified as Mahmood Ahmed Ansari, Syed Kashif Umar and Rafiullah Khan. They were killed during an operation to recover the hijacked oil tanker MT Honour 25, which Somali pirates had held captive for several months.
According to a statement from the Governor House, the financial assistance aims to support the families as they cope with the tragic loss of their loved ones.
The assistance includes Rs12.5 million in direct financial compensation and Rs13.5 million allocated for purchasing residential plots for each family.
Last week, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif announced a relief package for the families, promising government support to help them overcome their difficulties.
He also pledged free education and healthcare facilities for the deceased sailors’ children, alongside residential support for their families.
The bereaved families expressed gratitude to the prime minister and the government for providing financial assistance during this difficult period.
The incident occurred during efforts to recover the hijacked tanker off Somalia’s coast, where several crew members lost their lives. The government has also pursued efforts to bring the deceased sailors’ remains back to Pakistan and assist surviving crew members.
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