Pirates Demand $3 Million Ransom for 10 Pakistani Crew Members Held Since April

ISLAMABAD (August 20, 2026) — Pirates operating off the coast of Somalia are demanding a $3 million ransom to free 10 Pakistani sailors held hostage since an oil tanker was seized in April, Pakistani officials confirmed on Wednesday.

Addressing a calling-attention notice in the National Assembly, Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Tariq Fazal Chaudhry described the standoff as highly complex.

He noted that conceding to ransom demands carries serious long-term risks due to limited administrative and security control in several coastal regions of Somalia.

Incident and Crew Details

• Vessel: MT Honour 25 (Palau-flagged oil tanker)

• Location Seized: Approximately 30 nautical miles off the coast of Puntland

• Attackers: Six armed individuals

• Cargo: Roughly 18,500 barrels of oil

• Voyage Route: Departed Berbera, Somaliland on February 20 before transiting near the UAE

Hostages Onboard

• 10 Pakistani nationals

• 7 Indonesian nationals (including the vessel’s captain)

• 1 Indian national

• 1 Sri Lankan national

No breakthrough has been reported in negotiations, and no payment has been authorized.

Broader Maritime Impact While coordinated international naval patrols and strict private security measures drove Somali piracy to near-zero levels after its 2011 peak, maritime hijackings and attacks on commercial and fishing vessels have resurged in recent years.

The renewed threat poses fresh security challenges across critical international shipping lanes, threatening regional supply chains and maritime commerce