Pakistan repatriation brings MV Touska crew home via Singapore after US seizure

Pakistan said it brought back 11 Pakistani nationals and 20 Iranians with support from Singapore. All 31 were crew members from a ship seized by the United States last month. Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar said the group travelled to Bangkok from Singapore. Dar added that the group had already boarded a flight due in Islamabad later.

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The 31 people were on the Iranian container vessel MV Touska. The US seized the ship on April 19 in the Gulf of Oman. Pakistan said the vessel was taken after it allegedly ignored repeated warnings. Pakistan also said the ship broke a US-imposed naval blockade. The crew included both Pakistani and Iranian nationals.

Pakistan repatriation details for MV Touska crew

Pakistan said the remaining crew had stayed stranded near Singapore after the seizure. Pakistan said the US earlier sent 22 crew members to Pakistan as a confidence-building measure. The rest were 11 Pakistanis and 20 Iranians. Dar said Singapore helped complete the repatriation process for the remaining crew members.

Dar, who is also the foreign minister, issued a statement about the operation. "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,\" Dar said.

Pakistan repatriation route via Singapore and Bangkok

Dar said the group reached Bangkok after leaving Singapore. Dar said the crew had already boarded a flight from Singapore. The flight was scheduled to arrive in Islamabad later in the night. Dar said the Iranian nationals would then be helped to return to Iran. Pakistan said Thailand supported transit through Bangkok.

Pakistan said Dar thanked several governments and officials for support. Dar praised the Singapore government and its leaders for assistance. Dar also thanked Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi. Dar extended gratitude to the US government and Secretary of States Marco Rubio. Dar also thanked the government of Thailand for its role.

Pakistan said Dar praised Singapore’s Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan and Prime Minister Lawrence Wong. Pakistan said Dar credited their continued support and engagement. The statement said Dar made the request for help during the process. Dar said he spoke with Balakrishnan last Friday. Dar said he asked for support on welfare and repatriation.

Pakistan said the crew moved through Bangkok after Pakistan requested transit support. Dar said the 31 individuals had travelled from Singapore to Bangkok. Dar said the group then continued onwards to Islamabad on a scheduled flight. Pakistan said the Iranian nationals would be facilitated to return home after arrival. Pakistan linked the result to coordination with Singapore and Thailand.

With inputs from PTI