Efforts underway for release of Pakistani hostages held by Somali pirates: FO

Foreign Office spokesperson Tahir Andrabi, during his weekly press briefing in Islamabad, said Pakistani citizens held hostage by Somali pirates have remained in captivity for nearly 50 days, with all possible efforts underway for their safe recovery, though their release has not yet been secured.

He said Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar held a telephone conversation with the Somali foreign minister two days ago, during which he stressed not only the safe release of Pakistani nationals but also improved conditions for all hostages.

Andrabi said the Government of Pakistan has taken concrete steps to secure the release of its citizens, including summoning the Somali ambassador in Islamabad to convey serious concerns over the situation. He added that multiple inter-ministerial meetings have also been held to coordinate rescue and diplomatic efforts. The spokesperson said Pakistan is in contact with the Somali government, local tribal stakeholders, and the owner of the vessel on which the hostages were taken. He stressed that the issue is highly complex and requires patience and continued diplomatic engagement.

Andrabi noted that despite sustained efforts, the safe release of the hostages has not yet been achieved, underscoring the sensitivity of the situation.

He reiterated that Pakistan remains committed to exhausting all available channels to ensure the safe return of its citizens and continues to actively pursue diplomatic, political, and operational avenues in coordination with relevant stakeholders.

Pakistan urges diplomacy in Iran-US tensions

Foreign Office spokesperson Tahir Andrabi said Pakistan remains firmly committed to peaceful resolution of conflicts and is closely monitoring the situation in the Middle East.

He said Islamabad is deeply concerned over rising tensions between Iran and the United States and continues to urge all parties to exercise restraint and avoid further escalation.

Pakistan has called on all sides to respect existing ceasefire arrangements and resolve disputes through negotiations, reiterating its long-standing policy of supporting dialogue-based conflict resolution.

The spokesperson also rejected recent statements from India regarding Azad Jammu and Kashmir, saying such remarks were an attempt to divert attention from unresolved regional disputes. He stressed that Kashmir remains an internationally recognised issue that requires a peaceful settlement in line with United Nations resolutions.

Pakistan engages regional partners

In a related development, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi visited Tehran recently and held meetings focused on regional security and cooperation, according to the Foreign Office.

Separately, Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar held a telephone conversation with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan. The two leaders discussed the evolving regional situation and emphasised the importance of restraint, dialogue, and diplomacy to maintain peace and stability.

Both sides expressed hope for early reconciliation of regional tensions and agreed on the importance of continued coordination on issues of mutual interest, including international and regional developments.

They also reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening Pakistan-Türkiye relations and agreed to maintain close contact to advance bilateral cooperation across multiple sectors.