Somali Pirates Hold Pakistani Crew for 57 Days as Conditions Worsen on Hijacked Vessel MT Honour 25

A newly surfaced video has revealed deteriorating conditions aboard the hijacked vessel MT Honour 25, where Pakistani crew members held by Somali pirates have made a desperate appeal for government intervention to secure their release.

The ship, carrying 17 crew members including 10 Pakistanis, was seized by pirates near Somalia’s semi-autonomous Puntland region on April 21. Since then, families of the hostages have expressed increasing concern, saying the situation onboard has worsened significantly over time.

In the video, second officer Syed Kashif Umar confirmed that the Pakistani crew has now been held for 57 days. He said the captives are facing severe shortages of food, several crew members have fallen ill, and negotiations with the vessel’s owners have stalled. He urged authorities to pressure the shipping company to engage directly with the pirates to help secure their release.

The ship’s Indonesian captain also appeared in the video, appealing to his government for urgent assistance.

Pakistan’s Foreign Office stated last week that efforts are ongoing to secure the safe return of its citizens and that the government remains fully committed to resolving the crisis.

Diplomatic sources said the vessel is still anchored off the Somali coast while negotiations continue. They added that Somali authorities are reportedly in contact with the pirates through the vessel’s owners in an attempt to facilitate a resolution.

According to reports, the pirates initially demanded a ransom of $10 million, later reducing it to $4 million, but talks have yet to make meaningful progress.

Meanwhile, families of the Pakistani crew have urged the government to intensify diplomatic efforts, expressing fear for the safety of their loved ones.

Piracy off Somalia was once widespread in the 2000s, peaking in 2011 with hundreds of recorded attacks. However, it declined in later years following international naval operations and stronger security measures adopted by commercial shipping companies.

Recent reports from the European Union Naval Force, Operation Atalanta, suggest a renewed rise in attacks in the region. Its Maritime Security Centre Indian Ocean noted multiple incidents in late April.

Although regional maritime activity has been affected by ongoing geopolitical tensions since late February, there is currently no evidence linking the hijacking of MT Honour 25 to the wider conflict.