PM announces Rs12.5m aid, houses for families of Pakistanis killed on hijacked ship in Somalia

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday announced financial assistance of Rs12.5 million for each family, free education and healthcare for the children, and a house for the families of three Pakistanis killed during the operation to recover a hijacked vessel off the coast of Somalia.

The prime minister also spoke by telephone with Azhan Kashif, son of Pakistani sailor Syed Kashif Umar, and expressed his condolences over his father's death. “We share your grief,” the prime minister told Azhan, assuring the family that the government was taking steps to bring the bodies of Kashif Umar and the other two Pakistani crew members back to Pakistan at the earliest.

The three Pakistanis — Syed Kashif Umar, Mahmood Ahmed Ansari and Rafi Ullah Khan — were killed during the recovery operation of the hijacked vessel off the Somali coast. The prime minister announced Rs12.5 million in financial assistance for each bereaved family, along with free education and healthcare for their children.

Tweet by Prime Minister's Office

He also announced that the government would provide one house to each family. “Bereaved families will not be left alone in this difficult hour,” the prime minister said, assuring them of the government’s full support and assistance.

PM Shehbaz directed the Foreign Ministry and Pakistan’s embassy to remain in continuous contact with the Somali authorities and other relevant parties and expedite the repatriation of the bodies. He also directed authorities to ensure the best possible medical treatment for the injured Pakistani nationals and take all possible measures for the safe return of the remaining Pakistani crew members.