Following intense struggle by Pakistani officials, seven crew members of merchant ship MV Albedo reached Karachi on Thursday after their release by Somali pirates. Sindh Governor Dr Ishratul Ebad Khan received them at Karachi airport and later brought them to Governor House where they met their families.
The families of Pakistani crew were very happy. They appreciated the efforts of Sindh Governor who made it possible for their beloved ones to reach home safely. Speaking on the occasion, Sindh Governor Dr Ishratul Ebad Khan said these seven hostages had been in the captivity of Somali pirates since November 2010.
He said seven Pakistanis were taken to Nairobi after their release and brought to the country. He, however, said that the remaining 15 crew members - seven from Bangladesh, six from Sri Lanka and one each from India and Iran remain in the custody of Somali pirates. The governor said no ransom had been paid for the release of the hostages and only $1 million had been paid on account of expenses.
Ebad thanked President Asif Ali Zardari, Prime Minister Raja Pervez Ashraf, Interior Minister Rehman Malik, Director General ISI, Malik Riaz of Bahria Town, Citizens Police Liaison Committee Chief Ahmed Chinoy and other philanthropists and institutions. He also thanked Muttahida Qaumi Movement Quaid Altaf Hussain saying he guided us on every occasion.
The Governor congratulated the family members of the sailors saying today he had fulfilled his promise. MQM Quaid Altaf Hussain talked to the Governor and the family members of the sailors from London on phone. He appreciated the efforts of the Governor and felicitated the families of seamen. The family members of the sailors thanked the President, the Prime Minister, the MQM chief, Sindh Governor and the CPLC chief.
President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Raja Pervez Ashraf while praising the role of Sindh Governor Ishrat Ul Ebad Khan welcomed the release of Pakistani sailors from Somali captivity. In a telephonic conversation with Governor Sindh, the President appreciated and thanked all the individuals, organizations and Ebad's efforts to secure the release of Pakistani sailors.
He said, "It was a good omen that the captured Pakistanis will be finally returning home and would be able to celebrate Eid and Independence Day with their families and fellow compatriots." Zardari reiterated the need for joint efforts against such elements so that such incidents of abductions could be avoided in future. In another statement issued from the PM House, the prime minister appreciated the efforts of Sindh Governor for securing the release of the hostages.
He thanked Malik Riaz of Bahria Town, Arif Naqvi of Abraj, Pakistani Ambassador to Malaysia Masood, Pakistani Ambassador to UAE Jamil Ahmed Khan and others who provided their support to free these Pakistanis. He appreciated the efforts of CPLC Chief Ahmed Chinoy who completed this mission and brought these Pakistanis back home safely. Speaking on the occasion, Sindh Chief Minister appreciated the efforts of Sindh Governor and his team including CPLC officials.
Ahmed Chinoy gave a briefing about their efforts in this operation. He said these Pakistani crew were brought back to Pakistan through a land route via Nairobi to Dubai and then Karachi. He said MQM chief Altaf Hussain took great interest in this mission and directed to take all possible steps to secure their release. Speaking on the occasion the head of Pakistani crew, Captain Javed said they spent sleepless nights there and it was very difficult situation.
He thanked President Asif Ali Zardari, MQM Chief Altaf Hussain, Sindh Governor Dr Ishratul Ebad Khan and their team members who made their release possible. He pointed that there were as many as 23 crew members on the ship that were kidnapped by Somali pirates, of which seven were Pakistanis, six Sri Lankans, seven Bangladeshis and one Indian. "I am proud to be Pakistani as only seven Pakistani crew were freed with the efforts of their leaders and Pakistani nation," he added. Federal Ministers Babar Khan Ghauri, Farooq Sattar, provincial ministers, members of national and provincial assemblies and dignitaries were also present on the occasion.