ISLAMABAD: Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar on Monday sought urgent and effective intervention by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) for the release of 10 Pakistani seafarers captured by Somali pirates, the foreign office said in a statement.

The Pakistani sailors were part of a 17-member crew on the Palau-flagged oil tanker MT Honour 25, which was seized by pirates off Somalia’s Puntland region on Apr. 21. Families of the captured sailors have urged Islamabad to undertake efforts to secure their release. The families say that the captured sailors have informed them via phone calls that they are suffering from health issues, and facing a shortage of food and clean drinking water. 

Dar arrived in the UK on an official tour of the country on Sunday night. During his Aug. 24-28 trip to the UK, Dar is scheduled to hold meetings with UK Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband and other senior members of the UK government. He met Arsenio Dominguez, the secretary-general of the IMO, during a meeting in London. 

“Thanking the secretary-general for his support for the ongoing efforts to secure the safe release of 10 Pakistani seafarers being held captive aboard MT Honour 25, the deputy prime minister/foreign minister called for urgent and effective institutional intervention for the early return of all seafarers,” the Pakistani foreign office said. 

The Pakistani minister highlighted Islamabad’s continued efforts to strengthen maritime governance, implement international maritime standards and further develop its blue economy.

“The two sides also discussed further strengthening Pakistan-IMO cooperation in maritime safety, security, regulatory reforms, and the development of Pakistan’s maritime sector,” the foreign office said. 

Pakistan has renewed its efforts to secure the release of its nationals being held by Somali pirates. Earlier this month, Dar ordered officials to intensify diplomatic engagement with Somali authorities, international organizations and other partners to secure the sailors’ release. 

Pakistan’s foreign office has previously said the ship owner and Somali authorities were in contact with the pirates and negotiating for the crew’s release, while Islamabad had asked them to ensure food, drinking water and other necessities continued to reach the sailors.

The foreign office has said earlier that law enforcement action to free the captive Pakistani sailors is a “bit difficult” as the MT Honour 25 is carrying explosive cargo.