ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar on Monday confirmed the successful repatriation of eight Iranian fishermen who were rescued at sea by a British vessel, MMA Valour, this month.
Earlier, Islamabad announced that it was facilitating the repatriation of 30 Iranian nationals—including eight fishermen and 22 crew members—who had been rescued at sea by US and British authorities.
In a post on X, Deputy PM Dar said that the eight Iranian fishermen had been successfully repatriated and departed from the southern port city of Karachi for Iran on Monday morning.
Glad to share that the eight (8) Iranian fishermen rescued at sea by the British vessel MMA Valour after their boat ran aground have been successfully repatriated and departed from Karachi for Iran this morning.
Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Pakistan and all concerned…
— Ishaq Dar (@MIshaqDar50) June 22, 2026
“Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Pakistan and all concerned authorities coordinated closely with the Iranian and UK authorities to facilitate the safe transit and early return of our Iranian brethren to their homeland,” he said.
“We appreciate the trust reposed in Pakistan by Iran in handling the matter for their nationals, and the cooperation of all stakeholders in making their safe return possible.”
The statement came a day after the Pakistan Maritime Security Agency (PMSA) said it had completed the reception, documentation, medical screening, and coordination procedures required for the Iranian fishermen’s repatriation.
PAKISTAN MARITIME SECURITY AGENCY COORDINATES HUMANITARIAN ASSISTANCE AND REPATRIATION OF FOREIGN NATIONALS RESCUED AT SEA
Karachi, Sunday, 21 June 2026: Pakistan Maritime Security Agency (PMSA) spearheaded a coordinated humanitarian assistance and repatriation effort (1/5) pic.twitter.com/cNv2d6Z3hP
— PAKISTAN MARITIME SECURITY AGENCY (@PMSAHQ) June 21, 2026
The repatriation operation coincides with Pakistan-facilitated negotiations between the United States and Iran in Switzerland, which seek to achieve a durable agreement after the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding was signed earlier this month.
The repatriation effort follows a similar operation in May, when Pakistan facilitated the return of crew members from an Iranian vessel seized by US authorities. The crew was among 22 individuals transferred to Pakistan after their release, underscoring Islamabad’s ongoing role in assisting Iranian nationals affected by regional tensions.
