Karachi police have arrested a number of families of Pakistani sailors who were protesting outside the Pakistan Foreign Office, demanding the immediate release of their relatives who were kidnapped by Somali pirates.
The families have been sitting outside the Foreign Office in Shahrah-e-Faisal since Sunday night, calling on the Pakistani government to take effective steps to secure the release of the sailors.
Pakistani media reported that 10 Pakistani nationals were among the 17 crew members of the MT Honour 25, which was hijacked by pirates on April 21 while sailing near Somalia.
The Palau-flagged vessel was reportedly seized off the coast of Puntland.
The protesting families said they peacefully went to the ministry to demand the government expedite efforts to free their relatives.
Police later intervened in the protest, and some protesters were arrested.
Some protesters said police used force and batons, demanding the immediate release of all those arrested.
Families expressed growing concern about the condition of the sailors, who have been held by kidnappers off the coast of Somalia for months.
They called on the Pakistani government to focus on efforts to ensure the safety of the sailors and their repatriation.
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