ISLAMABAD: The repatriation of the bodies of three Pakistani nationals who died in Somalia is underway on the directives of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, the Prime Minister’s Office Media Wing said in a statement.
The bodies of Syed Kashif Umar, Ahmed Ansari and Rafiullah have arrived in Ethiopia’s capital, Addis Ababa, where Ethiopian Airlines staff are completing the necessary formalities before granting final clearance for their transportation to Karachi.
The relevant authorities remain in close contact to complete the repatriation process at the earliest, in accordance with the prime minister’s directives, the statement said.
وزیراعظم محمد شہباز شریف کی ہدایت پر صومالیہ میں جاں بحق پاکستانیوں شہریوں کی میتوں کی پاکستان منتقلی کے انتظامات جاری ہیں. اس سلسلے میں جاں بحق پاکستانی شہریوں کی میتیں ایک گھنٹہ قبل ایتھوپیا کے دارالحکومت ادیس ابابا پہنچ گئی ہیں۔
ایتھوپین ایئرلائنز کا عملہ میتوں کی پاکستان…
— Prime Minister’s Office (@PakPMO) October 3, 2026
The Palau-flagged MT Honour 25 was seized off Puntland on April 21 with 17 crew members aboard, including 10 Pakistanis. Puntland forces recovered the vessel this week after pirates killed five sailors, including three Pakistanis, and wounded four others.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had assured the families of all possible assistance in bringing the bodies back to Pakistan.
The prime minister also spoke by telephone with Azhan Kashif, son of the deceased Syed Kashif Umar, on Thursday and expressed his condolences over the death of his father.
Shehbaz Sharif had assured him that the government would take all necessary measures for the earliest possible repatriation of his father’s body along with the other bodies to Pakistan.
The Foreign Office confirmed on Wednesday that three Pakistanis had died and three others were injured during the operation, later identifying the deceased as Rafiullah Khan, Syed Kashif Umer and Mahmood Ahmed Ansari.
Pakistan PM announces relief package
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has announced a relief package worth Rs12.5 million for the families of the deceased Pakistani sailors, the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) said on Friday.
The package includes financial assistance, free housing and free education for the children of the deceased, according to the PMO.
The prime minister also spoke by telephone with Azhan Kashif, son of deceased sailor Syed Kashif Umar, to offer his condolences and express his grief over his father’s death.
Meanwhile, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar said four of the 10 Pakistani crew members had been safely retrieved and were scheduled to arrive in Karachi on Saturday.
ALSO READ: Three Pakistanis Among Five Crew Killed In Somali Pirate Rescue Operation
The four crew members — Yasir Khan, Aqeel Khan, Amin bin Shams and Usman Ghani — were retrieved following sustained efforts by the Foreign Office and Pakistan’s embassy in Djibouti, Dar said.
On Sept 29, Somali maritime police recovered the Palau-flagged oil tanker amid reports of casualties among the crew.
“The naval and ground units of the Puntland Maritime Police Force conducted a planned operation in the Dharin-Bar area of Bandar Beyla district,” the maritime police had said in its initial statement.
During the operation, it said, 21 suspected pirates were apprehended, while operations to locate the remaining members continue.
