Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar has spoken with Singaporean Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan and sought Singapore’s support in facilitating the welfare and repatriation of eleven Pakistani and twenty Iranian seafarers aboard vessels seized by U.S. authorities near Singaporean waters.
In a post on his X handle, the Deputy Prime Minister said that Pakistan is closely coordinating with U.S. authorities and other stakeholders to ensure the safety, welfare, and the earliest possible return of Pakistani nationals.
Ishaq Dar said he also held a conversation with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, as Pakistan and Iran remain in close coordination on the matter.
He said Pakistan is ready to facilitate the safe repatriation of Iranian nationals to Iran through Pakistan. He also appreciated the cooperation and support being extended by Singapore in this regard.
In a separate development earlier, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Pakistan stated that the 22 crew members of the Iranian seized ship “MV Toska” have been transferred to Pakistan. This step has emerged as a positive example of confidence-building by the United States.
These individuals arrived in Pakistan last night and today they will be handed over to Iranian authorities, while after necessary repairs to the ship, it will be returned to its original owners through Pakistani maritime waters. In this process, close cooperation has been seen between Pakistan, Iran, and the United States.
Pakistan has termed this development as welcome and has clarified that it will continue to play its role for peace, stability, and diplomatic solutions in the region.
US CENTCOM spokesperson Captain Tom Hawkins told American media that the Iranian vessel “Touska,” which was seized on April 19 along with its 22 crew members, is being handed over to Pakistan, from where they will be sent back to Iran.
According to the Foreign Office, the 22 crew members of the Iranian vessel “Touska” arrived in Pakistan last night, and they will be handed over to Iranian authorities today.
The vessel will also be returned to its original owners after necessary repairs.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that the process of returning the Iranian vessel is being carried out jointly with the cooperation of both Iran and the United States. Pakistan welcomes such confidence-building measures.
The Foreign Office further said that Pakistan will continue its mediation efforts for peace in the region, and it will keep playing its role in promoting dialogue and diplomacy.
Also read: Seized Iranian vessel, crew sent to Pakistan for repatriation by US
