Islamabad, Aug 27 (IANS) Pakistan Friday said it may seek the help of the UN for safe release of the Pakistani crew on board a hijacked Panama-flagged cargo vessel.
Somali pirates hijacked the MV Suez ship off the Gulf of Aden early this month with 23 crew members from Egypt, Pakistan, India and Sri Lanka.
The ministry of foreign affairs is exploring avenues for seeking UN assistance for the release of Pakistani nationals, an official spokesman was quoted as saying by Xinhua.
‘The ministry is in contact with the government of Egypt as well as Somali authorities to seek the safe and early release of Pakistani crewmen on the Panamanian flag vessel ‘MV Suez’ owned by an Egyptian company,’ the spokesman said.
The 17,300-tonne ship carrying cement bags came under small arms fire while sailing in a recommended shipping lane.
The ship was on a voyage from Karachi to Massawa port in Eritrea, on the east African coast.
