Karachi, Pakistan – Web Desk: At least 11 Pakistani nationals are among the crew members taken hostage after Somali pirates seized an oil tanker in the Gulf of Aden, according to family members and local sources.
The incident occurred on April 21, 2026, when armed pirates attacked and hijacked the vessel off the coast of Somalia. Reports indicate that the attackers are demanding a ransom of $7 million for the release of the crew and the tanker.
Families of the hostages in Karachi have appealed to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and senior officials to take urgent steps to secure the safe return of their loved ones.
Relatives gathered at the office of the JDC Foundation and met its head, Zafar Abbas, seeking assistance. Abbas said the ransom demanded amounts to nearly Rs2 billion, which the families cannot afford. He also noted that four days have passed since the hijacking, but no official contact has been made with the families.
According to the families, the shipping company has advised them to remain silent, further increasing their distress. Several relatives shared emotional accounts, urging authorities to intervene.
One woman said her husband was taken hostage shortly before the birth of their child, adding that he has yet to meet his newborn son. Another family member described the hostage as his only son and appealed for immediate government action.
Maritime security experts warn that piracy risks remain in key shipping lanes such as the Gulf of Aden, posing ongoing threats to global trade and seafarers.
