Pakistan coordinating with US for return of detained seafarers: Dar

ISLAMABAD: Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar said Pakistan is closely coordinating with the United States and other stakeholders to ensure the safety and early return of 11 Pakistani seafarers aboard vessels seized by US authorities near Singaporean waters.

In a statement shared on X, Dar said the detained crews included 11 Pakistani and 20 Iranian nationals currently aboard vessels held by US authorities near Singapore.

“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,” he stated.

Read More: Pakistan facilitated unprecedented US-Iran talks, says PM Shehbaz

The deputy prime minister said he held separate telephone conversations with Vivian Balakrishnan and Abbas Araghchi on Thursday as part of diplomatic efforts to secure the safe repatriation of the seafarers.

Dar said he requested Singapore’s support for the return of the Pakistani crew members and appreciated the cooperation being extended by the Singaporean authorities in the matter.

He added that Pakistan and Iran remained in close coordination regarding the issue and reiterated Islamabad’s readiness to facilitate the safe return of Iranian nationals through Pakistani territory.

“Pakistan also stands ready to facilitate the safe repatriation of Iranian nationals to Iran via Pakistan,” he wrote.