Maritime Affairs Minister Junaid Anwar Chaudhry recently held a phone conversation with Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar to discuss the release of 11 Pakistani seamen who have been held hostage by Somali pirates. The seamen were captured on April 21 when armed pirates hijacked their vessel, the MT Honour 25, off the southeastern coast of Somalia. Chaudhry's ministry released a statement indicating that he had also reached out to Pakistan’s ambassador in Somalia to address the situation. During the call, Chaudhry stressed the importance of expediting efforts for the safe and swift release of the Pakistani crew members. He noted that after learning about the hijacking incident in April, the government initiated efforts to secure the crew's freedom. Chaudhry reaffirmed that they are maintaining communication with the Foreign Ministry and the Somalian embassy to facilitate the safe return of the seamen. The situation remains a priority for the Pakistani government, which is actively working on the matter.