ISLAMABAD:
Pakistan on Friday announced the successful repatriation of 11 Pakistani nationals along with 20 Iranian nationals who had been aboard vessels seized by the United States in international waters, in the latest sign of Islamabad’s growing diplomatic engagement linked to ongoing tensions between Iran and the United States.
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar said the 31 people were in good health and had arrived in Bangkok from Singapore before boarding a flight to Islamabad on Friday night.
“I am pleased to share that we have been successful in repatriating 11 Pakistani nationals, along with 20 citizens of our brother country Iran, through Singapore, who were aboard vessels seized on the high seas by the United States,” Dar wrote in X.
He thanked the governments of Singapore, Thailand and the United States for facilitating the repatriation process and also acknowledged the cooperation of Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi. Dar especially thanked Singapore Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan for providing her support throughout the process.
The latest operation comes amid Pakistan’s broader diplomatic outreach aimed at reducing tensions in the Gulf region while protecting Pakistani citizens and facilitating humanitarian arrangements for affected foreign nationals.
Earlier this month, Pakistan had also facilitated the evacuation and repatriation of 22 Iranian crew members held aboard the Iranian container ship MV Touska, which had been captured by US forces in the Gulf of Oman. Pakistani officials described that move as a “confidence-building measure” between Washington and Tehran.
According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Iranian crew members were flown to Pakistan before being handed over to Iranian authorities, while the ship itself was to be taken to Pakistani territorial waters for repair and eventual return to its owners.
Officials say the repeated humanitarian and evacuation efforts underscore Islamabad’s attempt to position itself as a credible broker at a time of heightened instability in the Strait of Hormuz and surrounding waters.
In recent weeks, Pakistan has stepped up diplomatic contacts with regional and global capitals amid fears that escalating maritime confrontations between the United States and Iran could further destabilize regional trade routes and energy supplies.
Islamabad hosted historic direct talks between Iran and the United States last month, although the meeting failed to lead to a breakthrough.
Subsequently, Pakistan twice came close to hosting the second round, but mistrust between the two sides prevented the meeting from taking place.
However, Pakistan managed to convince President Trump to extend the ceasefire indefinitely, allowing the diplomatic process to continue.
Through Pakistan, Iran and the United States have exchanged several proposals, but the avalanche of messages has not yet managed to break the impasse.
