Islamabad (HRNW)- Federal Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Tariq Fazal Chaudhry has said that 10 Pakistani citizens are being held by Somali pirates, who have reportedly demanded a ransom of $3 million for their release.
Speaking during a National Assembly session, Chaudhry said Pakistan does not have diplomatic relations with Somalia and warned that paying the ransom could have negative consequences by encouraging similar incidents in the future.
The minister said the government is making efforts to secure the release of the Pakistani citizens, but acknowledged that the Somali government has limited control in the area where the pirates are operating.
According to the minister, three rounds of negotiations have already been held with the pirates, while the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is making every possible effort to resolve the matter and secure the safe release of the Pakistanis.
The issue was raised during the National Assembly session following a call-attention notice concerning the kidnapping of Pakistani nationals by Somali pirates.
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