Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar said on Wednesday that Pakistan facilitated the repatriation of 30 Iranian nationals, including eight fishermen rescued at sea by a British ship and 22 crew members of a ship recently intercepted by US authorities.
In a post on
He said both groups were expected to transit through Karachi in the coming days.
Foreign Minister Dar said Pakistan remains in close coordination with the Iranian, American and British authorities to ensure safe transit and prompt return of Iranian citizens to their homeland.
“Pakistan is pleased to facilitate the repatriation of 30 Iranian nationals,” Dar wrote in X.
He added that Pakistan remained committed to humanitarian cooperation and offering “all possible assistance to our Iranian brothers.”
Pakistan is pleased to facilitate the repatriation of 30 Iranian nationals.
These include 8 Iranian fishermen rescued at sea by the British ship MMA Valor after their boat ran aground, and 22 Iranian crew members of the ship Lenore/Davina, recently intercepted by the United States…
– Ishaq Dar (@MIshaqDar50) June 17, 2026
A day earlier, Justice Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar informed the National Assembly that Foreign Minister Dar had already contacted his Somali counterpart to discuss the issue, adding that the Foreign Ministry remained fully engaged and was issuing statements on the situation.
Read: The Government “pursues” the release of hostages in Somalia
Dar had a phone call last week with his Somali counterpart, Abdisalam Abdi Ali, to convey Pakistan’s “grave” concern over the situation and stressed the importance of ensuring the well-being of the hostages, their early release and their safe repatriation.
Ali had assured Dar of Somalia’s “continuous and sincere efforts” to ensure the release of the hostages at the earliest.
Egyptian FM
Separately, on Wednesday, Dar had a telephone conversation with Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty, the Foreign Ministry said in a post on X.
Deputy Prime Minister/Minister of Foreign Affairs, Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar @MIshaqDar50, had a telephone conversation with Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty.
The two leaders exchanged views on recent understandings reached between the United States and Iran and the upcoming… pic.twitter.com/5mDCSPMVTN
– Ministry of Foreign Affairs – Pakistan (@ForeignOfficePk) June 17, 2026
According to the statement, the two sides exchanged views on recent understandings reached between the United States and Iran, as well as the upcoming Memorandum of Understanding in Bürgenstock, Switzerland, scheduled for Friday.
They also discussed preparations for the upcoming Regional Four (R-4) Foreign Ministers meeting later this month.
Both ministers agreed to remain in close contact on matters of mutual interest and ongoing regional developments.
