Pakistan is in direct contact with Somali authorities after armed pirates seized an oil tanker near the Somali coast last week, taking 11 Pakistani crew members and the Indonesian captain hostage. The Foreign Office has confirmed efforts to coordinate with Somalia and the vessel’s owner to secure the crew’s safe release in the hijacked tanker incident.
FO Spokesperson Tahir Andrabi said the pirates are communicating with the ship’s owner while Islamabad pursues diplomatic channels to resolve the crisis. He warned that recent attacks have revived concerns about opportunistic piracy in the Indian Ocean, recalling that incidents off Somalia peaked in 2011 and at times reached thousands of kilometres from the coast.
Andrabi also addressed wider regional tensions affecting maritime routes, stressing the significance of the Strait of Hormuz for global trade and energy supplies. “The closure of the Strait of Hormuz affects the entire world,” he said, adding that keeping the strait open is essential for energy, trade, and the supply of goods and that Pakistan supports efforts to restore normal maritime flow.
On diplomatic efforts related to broader regional hostilities, the spokesperson noted that both new and old proposals remain on the table as negotiators work to bring the United States and Iran on the same page and de-escalate tensions. “We are in contact with the relevant parties on the matter. Regarding negotiations, both new and old proposals are on the table. We hope peace will prevail,” Andrabi said.
Separately, Islamabad is addressing the fallout from a raid on a suspected scamming compound in Cambodia, where the number of detained Pakistani nationals has risen to 84, including 76 men and eight women. Cambodian authorities have granted consular access and assured cooperation; Deputy Head of Mission Bilal Mohsin met the detainees and reported that they are being provided food and medical facilities.
The Foreign Office said most of those detained travelled to Cambodia after being lured by fake job offers, with some found working on tourist visas or overstaying their permits. Cambodian officials are considering waiving fines and have agreed to the early repatriation of 54 Pakistanis arrested in Siem Reap province, with further returns expected after legal proceedings conclude. Islamabad urged citizens to remain cautious of fraudulent overseas job schemes while consular teams continue to assist affected nationals.
