Somali pirates have demanded direct talks with Pakistani government officials, sources close to the pirates said, as the plight of the hostages has further alarmed their families.
The pirates also released new photos showing 17 crew members of the Honor 25, including 10 Pakistani nationals, who have been held since the ship was hijacked on April 21. For two weeks, the families of the hostages have been living in constant fear and anxiety for the safety of their loved ones.
The chairman of the Ansar Burney Trust, Ansar Burney, said that despite contact with the pirates, there has been no effective action by the government to address the situation.
Qurat-ul-Ain, the director of the organization, said that the pirates had made it clear that they would only present their demands to a representative of the Pakistani government, but there was no response even to an email sent to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. She also noted that the pirates had contacted the governments of Indonesia, Myanmar and Sri Lanka, as seven of the crew members on board were from those countries.
Meanwhile, the federal government of Pakistan said it was contacting relevant parties to secure the release of its captive citizens.
Umar Farooq, 80, said he was working hard to secure the release of his son. “At this age, I had to run everywhere in sorrow,” he said, noting that his son Kashif Umar was among those held aboard the ship.
Ali Akbar, the brother of captured Imran Ali, also called on the government to take immediate steps to rescue the Pakistani nationals. He said the latest photos of the hostages had given him hope, as they showed they were still alive.
Families of the hostages gathered at the Ansar Burney Trust office, collectively demanding that at least a formal committee be set up to keep them informed about efforts to release their loved ones. They said they felt confused and alone, not knowing where to turn for help or who to contact.
