KARACHI – Web Desk: An audio recording of a Pakistani hostage held by Somali pirates on an oil tanker off the coast of Somalia has gone viral on social media, capturing the desperate pleas of the captured crew.
More than 10 Pakistani nationals, including men from Karachi, have been held hostage since pirates seized control of the vessel “Honour 25.” One of them, Ameen Bin Shams, was heard breaking down as he spoke to his father.
“Father, the pirates have captured us. This may be my last voice message. I don’t know if I’ll ever speak to you again because they are taking us to kill us,” he said. “Please forgive me for any mistakes. Take care of Ayesha (his wife) and the children. Stay strong. Goodbye.”
His father told a news channel: “He is our only son, our only child. He went for work, his first time at sea, and this happened. We appeal to the government to bring him back safely.”
The wife, Ayesha, said: “He told me they are firing in the air to scare them, and that they are being taken to be killed. I haven’t even been able to meet the child I’m carrying. I don’t think I ever will.”
The “Honour 25” was seized on April 21. The ship’s Indonesian captain and 11 Pakistani crew members remain captives.
The crew’s families told Geo News that Indonesia is in separate talks for its captain. They demand immediate action by Pakistan for their loved ones.
