Four Pakistani Sailors Freed From Somali Pirates Set to Return Home
Four Pakistani sailors freed after more than five months in captivity aboard the MT Honour 25 oil tanker, which was hijacked by Somali pirates, are scheduled to return to Karachi on Sunday, October 4. Their return comes as Pakistan continues efforts to repatriate the bodies of three Pakistani sailors who were killed during the prolonged maritime piracy ordeal.
The returning sailors ,Yasir Khan, Aqeel Khan, Amin bin Shams and Usman Ghani , are booked on Ethiopian Airlines flight ET694 from Addis Ababa. The flight is scheduled to reach Karachi’s Jinnah International Airport at 4:40 p.m. on October 4, according to the latest travel details. Their repatriation follows efforts by Pakistan’s Foreign Office and its embassy in Djibouti.
MT Honour 25 Hijacking and Recovery
The Palau-flagged MT Honour 25 was seized on April 21 off Somalia’s northeastern Puntland region. The tanker had 17 crew members aboard, including 10 Pakistani nationals.
Puntland maritime forces recovered the vessel on September 29 after more than five months in captivity. Five crew members were killed, including three Pakistanis , Rafi Ullah Khan, Syed Kashif Umer and Mahmood Ahmed Ansari. Four crew members were also injured during the incident.
Pakistan’s Foreign Office has been working to facilitate the return of the deceased sailors’ remains, while arrangements continue for the safe return of the surviving Pakistani crew members.
Three other Pakistani survivors , Imran Ali, Yasin Muhammad and Syed Yousuf Hussain , remain aboard the tanker with its captain. Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar said Pakistan is coordinating with other countries to facilitate their safe return.
Families Await Repatriation of Deceased Sailors
Efforts are also underway to bring the bodies of the three deceased Pakistani sailors back to Pakistan. Authorities are working through the required legal and other formalities, with the aim of arranging their repatriation alongside the returning sailors if possible.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has announced a relief package of Rs12.5 million for each family of the three deceased sailors. The government will also provide a house to each family, while their children will receive free education and healthcare.
Maritime Security Risks Remain
The MT Honour 25 incident has highlighted the continuing risks faced by commercial shipping, seafarers and oil tankers operating in waters off Somalia.
The hijacking also underscores the importance of maritime security, anti-piracy operations, crew protection, vessel security and international coordination along high-risk shipping routes. Pakistan has remained engaged with Somali authorities and other relevant stakeholders over the safety and repatriation of its nationals.
For shipping companies and shipowners, the incident demonstrates the importance of effective maritime risk assessment, emergency response, crew welfare and security measures when operating in piracy-affected waters.
Families Welcome Sailor Yasir Khan Home
For the families of the four returning sailors, the scheduled arrival in Karachi brings relief after months of uncertainty.
Mahwish Yasir, whose husband Yasir Khan is among the returning sailors, said the family was relieved that he would finally come home and reunite with his children after the prolonged captivity.
She also expressed grief over the deaths of the three Pakistani sailors, saying their families had become closely connected during the ordeal.
The return of the four sailors marks an important step in the ongoing effort to bring all Pakistani crew members affected by the MT Honour 25 hijacking safely home.
