The pirates reject any negotiation with third parties and ask the government to speak directly with them
A screenshot from a video shows crew members of an Indonesian-flagged ship being held hostage by Somali pirates.
The Somali pirates demanded a ransom of three million dollars for the release of seventeen hostages, including ten Pakistanis.
During the ongoing communication between the pirates and Ansar Burney Trust, the pirate leader on Monday sent a WhatsApp message stating for the first time that the release of all the hostages, the ship and its cargo would only be possible if they were paid three million dollars. The pirates refused any reduction in quantity or any negotiations.
Qurrat-ul-Ain Advocate, director of Ansar Burney Trust, said the contact took place on Monday.
The hackers denied recent reports claiming they had demanded ten million dollars. They also distanced themselves from a man named Usman, who had been portrayed in the media as the owner of the ship and allegedly linked to the $10 million lawsuit. According to Qurrat-ul-Ain Advocate, the pirates rejected any negotiations with third parties and asked the Pakistani government to talk to them directly.
Read more: Video of hostage crew appears after 26 days in pirate captivity
The tanker Honor 25, which was sailing under the Somali flag from Oman to Somalia, was hijacked by pirates on the 21st of last month. There were 17 crew members on board, 10 of whom were Pakistani nationals. The families of the Pakistani hostages have continually asked the government for the safe release of their loved ones.
Families of Pakistani crew members held hostage by the HONOR 25 oil tanker, which was hijacked by pirates off the coast of Somalia, hold banners during a protest, calling on the government to take immediate steps for the safe return of their loved ones, in Karachi, Pakistan, May 13, 2026. REUTERS
According to the pirates, countries like Sri Lanka and India are in contact with them regarding their seven hostages, but they did not confirm any communication from Pakistan. Meanwhile, Pakistani authorities say they are in contact with both the pirates and the Somali government to secure the release of the Pakistani hostages.
صومالی بحری قزاقوں نے پاکستانیوں سمیت 17 یرغمالیوں کی نئی ویڈیو جاری کردی
سے اپیل
یہ لوگ ابلے چاول اور ٹینک کا گندہ پانی پینے کے لیے دے رہے ہیں،بہت مشاری اسلحے سے لیس قزاق بھی… pic.twitter.com/1IcDJ2jPCV– Shahid Hussain (@ShahidHussainJM) May 15, 2026
In video and audio messages, the Pakistani hostages reported that food and medicine supplies on the ship had been depleted. They said they were only given one portion of boiled rice per day.
Drinking water has also run out, forcing the hostages to drink contaminated water, which is causing them to become ill.
