ISLAMABAD: Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar on Friday said Pakistan was in close coordination with the United States and other relevant stakeholders to ensure the safety and early return of 11 Pakistani seafarers aboard vessels seized by US authorities near Singapore waters.
In a statement shared on X, Dar said the detained crews included 11 Pakistani and 20 Iranian nationals currently onboard vessels being held by US authorities.
“Pakistan, through its Foreign Office and relevant authorities, is closely coordinating with US authorities and others to ensure the safety, welfare, and earliest possible return of our nationals,” the deputy prime minister stated.
Dar said he separately spoke with Vivian Balakrishnan and Abbas Araghchi on Thursday as part of Pakistan’s diplomatic efforts to secure the safe repatriation of the crew members.
During his conversation with the Singaporean foreign minister, Dar requested support for the return of the Pakistani nationals and appreciated the cooperation being extended by the Singaporean authorities in the matter.
The deputy prime minister added that Pakistan and Iran remained in close coordination over the issue.
He further said that Islamabad was also ready to facilitate the safe repatriation of Iranian nationals through Pakistani territory.
“Pakistan also stands ready to facilitate the safe repatriation of Iranian nationals to Iran via Pakistan,” Dar wrote in his statement.
The development comes amid heightened tensions in regional waters and increased scrutiny of maritime movements linked to the ongoing conflict involving the United States and Iran.
