Pakistan announces repatriation of sailors detained after US seizure
Deputy Prime Minister and foreign minister of Pakistan, Mohammad Ishaq Dar, said the repatriation of 20 Iranian and 11 Pakistani sailors stranded after the United States detained their vessel in waters near Singapore had been completed successfully.
According to the Islamic Republic News Agency, Dar said the sailors were flown from Singapore to Bangkok before boarding a flight to Islamabad on Friday.
In a statement posted on X, Dar wrote: “Alhamdolillah, 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 vessels seized in the high seas by the United States.”
“All individuals are in good health and high spirits. The welfare and well-being of Pakistanis abroad, particularly those in distress, remains our government’s highest priority,” Dar added.
Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar attends the SCO meeting in Moscow, 18 November 2025 (Ramil Sitdikov/Pool/AFP)