Islamabad, May 15 (PTI) Pakistan on Friday said it has succeeded in repatriating, with the help of Singapore, 11 of its nationals along with 20 Iranians, all who were crew of a vessel seized by the United States last month.
Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar said all individuals reached Bangkok from Singapore and already boarded a flight that is scheduled to reach Islamabad later in the evening.
The 31 individuals were onboard the Iranian container vessel MV Touska, which was seized by the US on April 19 in the Gulf of Oman after it allegedly ignored repeated warnings and violated the US-imposed naval blockade.
It was a mixed crew, including Pakistani and Iranian nationals, and initially the US had transferred 22 members to Pakistan as a confidence-building measure. However, the remaining crew -- 11 Pakistani and 20 Iranians -- had remained stranded on the seized vessels near Singapore.
Dar, who is also the foreign minister, said in a statement that the repatriation was made possible through Singapore.
“I am pleased to share that we have been successful in the repatriation of 11 Pakistani nationals, alongside 20 nationals of our brotherly country Iran, through Singapore, who were aboard vessel seized in the high seas by the United States,” he said.
Dar said all individuals have already boarded the flight from Singapore and scheduled to reach Islamabad later in the night. The Iranians will then be facilitated to return to their homeland, he said.
The minister praised Singapore government and its leaders; thanked Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi; extended gratitude to the US government and Secretary of States Marco Rubio, and also thanked the government of Thailand for their role in repatriation of the crew.
Dar praised Singapore's Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan and Prime Minister Lawrence Wong for their continued support and engagement throughout this process on his request, the statement said.
The minister said he spoke with Balakrishnan last Friday and requested assistance in facilitating the welfare and repatriation of the detained seafarers.
He also thanked the government of Thailand for facilitating the transit of the 31 individuals through Bangkok on the request of Pakistan.