The Minister of Maritime Affairs, Junaid Anwar Chaudhry, has been demanding a full report on the reported hijackings of the oil tanker in the vicinity of Somalia. It appears from the reports available that the ship known as “Owner 25” has become a target for pirates since April 21. The ship was being sailed through the Gulf of Aden.
Coordinated Efforts to Protect Hostages
According to the Ministry of Maritime Affairs, it has been learned that there are eleven Pakistani sailors onboard along with the captain from Indonesia.
At present, the officials are keeping a close watch and communicating regularly with the Foreign Office to take immediate action.
Moreover, efforts are being made to get in touch with the Somali government for more information about the location of the hostages.
A History of Maritime Challenges
This event reminds one of the previous experiences with piracy in these perilous waters. As an example, pirates from Somalia hijacked an Iranian ship in 2024, with nineteen sailors on board who were from Pakistan. While in the past, the naval forces from around the world could help intervene, this latest situation shows how risky shipping in the area still is. At the same time, the Pakistani government keeps trying all means possible to get their people back safely.
