Stranded MV Suez crew reaches Karachi port safely

Karachi, Jun 23: The MV Suez crew which was aboard on PNS Zulfiqar has finally reached Karachi.

According to media reports, the Counsellor for Indian High Commission will receive the sailors in Karachi. The crew is expected to go to the Governor's residence in Karachi.

The Indian sailors are expected to leave for home on Friday, Jun 24.

MV Suez, an Egyptian-owned ship with Indian, Pakistani, Sri Lankan and Egyptian sailors on board, was captured by the Somali pirates.

After the initiatives by Pakistani side, Indian navy on Jun 16 sent its warship INS Godavari, but surprisingly pulled out the warship shortly claiming that Suez refused to contact them. However, sailors on MV Suez claimed that INS Godavari did not make any contact with them.

Pakistani government officials then lodged a complaint to the Indian High Commission in Islamabad accusing Indian warship INS Godavari of brushing Pakistani navy's PNS Babur while escorting MV Suez.

Reacting to Pakistan's report of aggression, India said that Pakistan's report of aggression by INS Godavri was incorrect.

The sailors, who were captured on board of the MV Suez were released by pirates after paying a huge ransom - 2 million dollars by Pakistani human rights activist, Ansar Burney.

Pakistan and India were supposed to raise $500,000 and $60,000 respectively, whereas the Egyptian shipping company was said to give $1million. Despite of setting a deadline, India had failed to fulfill its promise. Sri Lankan and Egyptian citizens were among those captured in MV Suez along with Indian and Pakistani citizens.

OneIndia News