Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Ishaq Dar has said that Pakistan has sought Singapore’s assistance in facilitating the repatriation of 11 Pakistani and 20 Iranian seafarers, aboard vessels seized by the United States and currently near Singapore waters, reported 24NewsHD TV channel.
According to a post uploaded on X platform on Friday morning, Ishaq Dar made the request in a phone call to Singaporean Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan.
Ishaq Dar said that he has also spoken with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi “as we remain in close coordination on the matter”.
The Deputy Prime Minister maintained that Islamabad also stands ready to facilitate the safe repatriation of Iranian nationals to Iran via Pakistan.
Ishaq Dar said “We appreciate the cooperation and support being extended by Singapore. Pakistan, through its Foreign Office and relevant authorities, is closely coordinating with US authorities and others to ensure the safety, welfare, and earliest possible return of our nationals.”
It may be mentioned here that Pakistan had also facilitated the return of crew members from a US-seized Iranian vessel, with at least 15 sailors having reached Iran on Monday last.
The crew were part of a group of 22 people, transferred to Pakistan following their release.
The development came weeks after the vessel MV Touska was seized by US forces amid enforcement of maritime restrictions linked to the wider standoff with Tehran.
Earlier, the Foreign Office said the transfer of crew members was part of confidence-building measures. “Twenty-two crew members held aboard the seized Iranian container ship, ‘MV Touska’, have been evacuated to Pakistan,” it said, adding they were handed over to Iranian authorities.
It said the crew had been flown into Pakistan before arrangements for their return were finalised. The crew was reportedly handed over by US forces to Pakistani authorities in Pasni.
Reporter Anwer Abbas