Four Pakistani sailors rescued from hijacked tanker, three bodies to be returned

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar reported that sustained diplomatic efforts have secured the release of four Pakistani crew members from the oil tanker MT Honour 25, which was hijacked by Somali pirates on April 21. The rescued sailors - identified as Yasir Khan, Aqeel Khan, Amin bin Shams and Usman Ghani - are expected to arrive in Karachi on Oct 3. Dar also stated that the mortal remains of three other Pakistani crew, Rafi Ullah Khan, Syed Kashif Umer and Mahmood Ahmed Ansari, are being repatriated, with all necessary legal formalities fast-tracked.

The incident occurred off the southeastern coast of Somalia while the tanker was delivering oil to the semi-autonomous Puntland region. Foreign Office spokesperson Tahir Andrabi had earlier noted the ship carried 17 crew members, including ten Pakistanis. Further updates are pending.