America News Agency

Pakistan Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar issued a statement regarding the Pakistani crew aboard the MV Honour 25, which was hijacked off the coast of Somalia.

Dar said that as a result of efforts by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Pakistani Embassy in Djibouti, Yasir Khan, Aqeel Khan, Amin bin Shams and Usman Ghani, 4 of the 10 Pakistani crew members aboard the vessel, had been safely rescued. He said the four crew members are scheduled to arrive in Karachi on October 3.

Dar said that the bodies of Rafi Ullah Khan, Syed Kashif Umer and Mahmood Ahmed Ansari, who lost their lives, had been sent to Pakistan, adding that the necessary legal and other procedures were continuing in order to expedite the process.

Dar stated that three other Pakistani crew members, Imran Ali, Yasin Muhammad and Syed Yousuf Hussain, remain aboard the ship along with the captain. He said coordination with friendly countries is continuing to ensure their safe evacuation from the vessel and their return to Pakistan as soon as possible.

Dar said Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, under the leadership of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, is closely monitoring the matter, adding that efforts are continuing to bring all Pakistani citizens back to the country as soon as possible, including the bodies of those who died, and that necessary support will continue to be provided to the affected families.