Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar briefs members of the diplomatic corps at the Ministry of External Affairs in Islamabad on the first anniversary of “Marka-e-Haq” on Tuesday. Photo: X/ FO
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar said on Friday that Pakistan had successfully repatriated 11 Pakistani nationals along with 20 Iranian nationals who were on board a ship seized by the United States on the high seas.
“I am pleased to share that we have managed to repatriate 11 Pakistani nationals, along with 20 citizens of our sister country Iran, through Singapore, who were aboard vessels seized on the high seas by the United States,” Dar said in a post on X.
He said all people were in good health and good spirits, adding that the welfare of overseas Pakistanis, particularly those in distress, remained the government’s top priority.
Alhamdolillah, I am pleased to inform you that we have achieved the repatriation of 11 Pakistani citizens, along with 20 citizens of our brother country Iran, through Singapore, who were aboard vessels seized on the high seas by the United States.
All individuals are in…
-Ishaq Dar (@MIshaqDar50) May 15, 2026
The Foreign Minister said that all individuals, including the Pakistanis and Iranians on board, had arrived safely in Singapore.
“All the people arrived in Bangkok from Singapore and have already boarded the flight scheduled to arrive in Islamabad this evening,” he said.
Dar added that after reaching Islamabad, Iranian citizens would be facilitated in returning to their homeland.
Read also: 22 Iranian crew members repatriated via Pakistan
The Deputy Prime Minister acknowledged the efforts of his Singapore counterpart Vivian Balakrishnan and thanked the Prime Minister and the Singapore Government for their continued support and commitment throughout the process.
He also thanked Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi for reposing trust in Pakistan for the repatriation of Iranian citizens.
Dar further expressed gratitude to US Secretary of State Marco Rubio for the close coordination in facilitating the smooth return of the 31 Pakistani and Iranian nationals.
The deputy prime minister also acknowledged the efforts of his Thai counterpart, Sihasak Phuangketkeow, to facilitate the transit of individuals through Bangkok at the request of Pakistan.
“My sincere thanks to my colleagues at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Home Affairs and Pakistani missions in Singapore and Thailand for their timely coordination and dedicated efforts, ensuring the smooth, safe and successful completion of the repatriation process,” he concluded.
The seizure by US authorities of vessels near Singapore waters, on board which were 11 Pakistani and 20 Iranian seafarers, prompted Ishaq Dar to seek Singapore’s assistance in facilitating the welfare and repatriation of the detained seafarers.
Earlier this month, Pakistan facilitated the transfer of 22 Iranian crew members held aboard the MV Touska, which was seized by the United States.
In a statement published on X, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the individuals were flown to Pakistan “last night and will be handed over to the Iranian authorities today.”
On February 28, the United States and Israel launched a joint offensive against Iran, and Tehran retaliated with attacks against Israel and other countries in the region that host American assets.
The war has been on hold since April 8, when Pakistan brokered a two-week ceasefire. Following the ceasefire, Pakistan hosted the highest-level talks between the United States and Iran since the 1979 Islamic Revolution, which ended in Islamabad last weekend without an agreement, but the ceasefire held.
Despite the ceasefire, the United States began intercepting Iranian ships.
Iran subsequently blocked almost all ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz except its own when Trump imposed a separate blockade of Iranian ports. The closure of the Strait, a choke point for about 20% of global oil and liquefied natural gas shipments, resulted in a phenomenal rise in global oil prices.
