Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif announced a relief package for families of Pakistanis killed in Somalia. The package stipulates that every bereaved family will receive financial assistance amounting to Rs12.5 million, alongside a house, free education for the children, and health facilities.
Sharif spoke by telephone with Azhan Kashif, who is the son of Pakistani Kashif Umar killed in Somalia. Authorities, according to Sharif, must expedite efforts to repatriate the bodies of three Pakistanis who died during the recovery operation from the hijacked ship.
Furthermore, Sharif directed that the best medical care be provided to the injured and that other Pakistani staff remain safely returned to Pakistan. Four Pakistani crew members, identified by Ishaq Dar as Yasir Khan, Aqeel Khan, Amin bin Shams, and Usman Ghani, are scheduled to reach Karachi on 3 October 2026.
The mortal remains of three Pakistani crew members—Late Rafi Ullah Khan, Late Syed Kashif Umer, and Late Mahmood Ahmed Ansari—are currently being repatriated to Pakistan. Puntland's information ministry reported that forces successfully freed the tanker and captured sixteen pirates during the rescue operation.
The Palau-flagged tanker was seized by pirates on 21 April 2026, near Puntland's coast, at a distance of approximately 30 nautical miles. The vessel carried seventeen crew members, among whom were ten Pakistani nationals.
Three other Pakistani crew members, Imran Ali, Yasin Muhammad, and Syed Yousuf Hussain, remained aboard the vessel with the captain.
