Spokesperson says Pakistan deeply saddened by the loss of five crew members of the hijacked vessel
Foreign Office spokesperson Sajjad Haider Khan. Photo: Screengrab
Foreign Office (FO) spokesperson Sajjad Haider Khan said on Thursday that Pakistan was in close contact with Somali authorities to facilitate the repatriation of saved and slain crew members of the sea-borne vessel MT Honour 25.
“Three of those killed were Pakistani nationals — Rafiullah Khan, Syed Kashif Umar and Mahmood Ahmed Ansari — while four crew members, including three Pakistanis, were injured and were receiving medical treatment,” Khan said while speaking at the weekly media briefing
The spokesperson said Pakistan was “deeply saddened” by the loss of five crew members during the recovery operation of the sea-borne vessel.
“The government remains in close contact with the Somali authorities and other stakeholders to facilitate medical care for the injured, repatriation of the mortal remains and safe return of the surviving Pakistani crew members [of the MT Honour 25].”
Read: Somali pirates kill three Pakistanis during rescue operation
Dar’s UNGA engagements
The spokesperson also said Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister (FM) Ishaq Dar had held a series of bilateral and multilateral engagements in New York during the high-level week of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly from Sept 21 to 25.
“Details of FM Dar’s engagements would be shared by the deputy premier himself at a press briefing scheduled for Friday,” he said.
Giving an update on Pakistan’s chairmanship of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation’s Council of Heads of State for 2026-27, Khan said the first meeting of the SCO Council of National Coordinators had been held in Islamabad from Sept 28 to 30.
He further stated that National coordinators from SCO member states reviewed activities and initiatives under Pakistan’s chairmanship, discussed preparations for upcoming meetings and exchanged views on strengthening coordination and practical cooperation.
Also Read: Islamabad, New Delhi strike cordial SCO note
The discussions were held in line with Pakistan’s theme for its SCO chairmanship: “Turning Vision into Action: Connectivity, Innovation and Shared Prosperity.”
The visiting delegations also visited the Pakistan National Council of the Arts and Naseer Bunda Hockey Stadium, where they were briefed on Pakistan’s cultural heritage and preparations for the SCO Hockey Tournament scheduled for Nov 20 to Dec 2, Khan highlighted during the press conference.
He also said that on Sept 30, the national coordinators called on FM Dar, who highlighted Pakistan’s priorities for its SCO chairmanship and its commitment to working with member states to advance the organisation’s objectives.
The spokesperson said FM Dar had also held meetings and telephone conversations with several foreign officials over the past two weeks.
“On Sept 18, the foreign minister met Turkish Ambassador to Pakistan Irfan Naziroglu, with discussions focusing on the evolving regional situation and progress under bilateral mechanisms,” he said.
Khan added that FM Dar also met British High Commissioner Jane Marriott to discuss Pakistan-UK relations, understandings reached during the recent visit of the foreign minister to Britain, and ways to strengthen bilateral cooperation.
“On Sept 19, FM Dar spoke by telephone with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi. The two discussed the regional situation, with FM Dar stressing the importance of uninterrupted energy supplies and the safe and expeditious passage of ships,” said the spokesperson.
He also underscored the importance of dialogue and diplomacy as the main pillars for regional stability and peace.
According to Khan, the same day, FM Dar spoke with Malaysian Foreign Minister Dato’ Seri Mohamad Hasan, with the two discussing bilateral relations, particularly the expansion of trade and economic cooperation.
“Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi also visited Tehran on Sept 21 and held meetings with Iranian officials to discuss bilateral relations and regional developments,” the FO said in a statement.
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Giving details about the eighth round of the Pakistan-France Joint Security Commission, which was held in Islamabad on Sept 22, the spokesperson said the meeting, led by senior officials from both sides, reviewed bilateral security and defence cooperation and regional security developments.
“The two sides reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening cooperation under the Pakistan-France Roadmap for Bilateral Cooperation signed in 2023, including in counter-terrorism and combating transnational crime,” he added.
Khan said that they agreed to continue bilateral dialogue and hold the next meeting of the commission in France on mutually agreed dates.
“The fifth round of Pakistan-Denmark bilateral political consultations was also held in Copenhagen on Sept 23. The two sides reviewed cooperation in trade and investment, green transition, energy, people-to-people contacts, consular matters and multilateral affairs. They expressed satisfaction with the trajectory of bilateral relations and agreed to further enhance cooperation,” he added.
