US Seizure of Ship: Pakistan Seeks Singapore's Help to Repatriate Seafarers

Moscow (ANTARA) - Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar on Friday requested assistance from Singapore to repatriate 11 Pakistani nationals and 20 Iranian nationals who are aboard a ship seized by the United States.

“I have spoken with Singapore’s Foreign Minister, the Honourable Vivian Balakrishnan, and requested Singapore’s support in facilitating the welfare and repatriation of 11 Pakistani seafarers and 20 Iranian seafarers,” Dar said on X.

The ship was seized by US authorities and is currently near Singapore’s waters, he added.

Dar also stated that he had held talks with Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and reaffirmed that both sides are continuing close coordination on this issue.

“Pakistan is also ready to facilitate the repatriation of Iranian nationals to their country through Pakistan safely,” Dar continued.

Pakistan, through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and relevant authorities, is closely coordinating with the US and other parties to ensure the safety, welfare, and swift repatriation of its nationals, the minister added.

On Monday, Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that the US had evacuated 22 crew members from the seized Iranian ship Touska to Pakistan, after which they were handed over to Iranian authorities.

Source: Sputnik