Karachi Protest for Hostages Ends in Brief Police Detention

In a troubling turn of events, family members of Pakistani sailors held captive by Somali pirates were briefly detained by police during a protest in Karachi on Monday. The demonstrators had gathered to demand the release of their loved ones, who have been imprisoned aboard the MT Honour 25 for over four months.

The oil tanker, under a Palau flag, was seized by armed pirates off the coast of Puntland, Somalia, on April 21, with ten Pakistani crew members among the hostages, alongside seamen from Indonesia, India, and Sri Lanka. Despite ongoing protests and appeals for their release, no substantial progress has been made in negotiations for the ransom, which is reported to be around $3 million.

Details of the Protest

On Sunday evening, families initiated an overnight sit-in outside the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' liaison office on Sharea Faisal, intending to march to the Supreme Court registry the following morning. However, police intervened before the march could commence, detaining several protesters, including women and children. The detained individuals were later released after a few hours, with Ayesha Ameen, the wife of one of the hostages, expressing frustration over the treatment they received from law enforcement.

Desperate Appeals from Hostages

Since being taken hostage, the sailors have sent out several distress messages, revealing their dire conditions due to a lack of food, clean water, and medical supplies. Their last communication on August 7 depicted a grim situation, with the hostages pleading for the Pakistani government to intervene and secure their release. This plea highlights the urgency of the situation, as the families continue to advocate for the safe return of their loved ones while facing governmental indifference.

Source: www.dawn.com