‘Bring our loved ones home’: Families of hostage seafarers appeal to authorities

Families of crew members aboard a vessel hijacked by pirates on April 21 have made an emotional appeal for urgent action, saying they have spent more than two months waiting for answers while receiving little information about efforts to secure the release of their loved ones.

Speaking to Dialogue Pakistan, relatives described the emotional and psychological toll the prolonged captivity has taken on families, particularly young children who continue to ask when their fathers will return home.

Several family members said their last conversations with the crew took place in early June. According to the relatives, crew members reported severe shortages of food and drinking water, deteriorating living conditions and mounting concerns over their safety aboard the vessel.

Families said they first learned of the hijacking days after the incident through phone calls and voice messages from the crew. In some of the messages, sailors reportedly warned that they had been captured by pirates and were uncertain whether they would be able to contact their families again.

Relatives expressed frustration over what they described as a lack of progress and communication regarding ongoing negotiations. Many said they had approached government offices, attended meetings and spoken to the media in an effort to draw attention to the plight of the crew, but still felt they had received few concrete updates.

One family member recalled meeting government officials and being unable to obtain a timeline for the crew's release. Others said they were repeatedly told that discussions were continuing but were given little information about developments.

The families also voiced concern over videos allegedly released by the pirates, showing crew members under armed guard. Relatives said the footage had caused immense distress among family members, particularly children who struggled to understand the situation.

Several wives and children described the hardship of spending both Eid holidays without their loved ones. Some said fathers had promised to return home before Eid, while others spoke of children who had not seen their fathers for months and continued to ask about their whereabouts.

One mother said her young daughter, who suffers from anemia, frequently asks about her father. Family members said they often try to comfort children by assuring them that their fathers will return home soon, despite growing uncertainty.

Another relative said a crew member had never met his young son in person and had spoken during their last conversation about his hope of teaching the child to walk upon returning home.

Families further claimed that communication with the crew has become increasingly limited in recent weeks. According to the relatives, crew members reported health concerns, mechanical problems aboard the vessel and fears stemming from attempted attacks by rival pirate groups operating in the area.

While acknowledging the complexities surrounding the situation, families urged authorities to intensify efforts to secure the sailors' safe return. They said financial compensation was not their concern and that their only priority was bringing their loved ones home.

"Our only demand is the safe return of our family members," one relative said. "The children miss their fathers every day, and we continue to wait for the moment they walk through the door again."