Pakistan's Foreign Minister Muhammad Ishaq Dar has held a telephone conversation with his Singaporean counterpart, Vivian Balakrishnan, to request assistance in the repatriation of Pakistani and Iranian citizens currently stranded at sea.
According to Operative Information Center-OMM, Ishaq Dar shared details of the diplomatic outreach on his official account on the X social media platform. The minister emphasized the need for urgent cooperation to ensure the safety of the crew members located in waters near Singapore.
"I requested support to ensure the well-being and facilitate the repatriation of 11 Pakistani and 20 Iranian sailors on board vessels near Singaporean waters," the minister stated. Ishaq Dar also held a separate discussion with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi regarding the situation, noting: "I expressed our readiness to facilitate the safe return of Iranian citizens through Pakistan."
The incident highlights the ongoing challenges regarding maritime labor and the welfare of seafarers in international shipping lanes. Singapore, as one of the world's busiest maritime hubs and a critical gateway between the Indian and Pacific Oceans, often plays a central role in coordinating search, rescue, and repatriation efforts. Diplomatic coordination between Islamabad, Tehran, and Singapore is expected to continue until the 31 sailors are safely returned to their respective home countries.
