Pakistan has successfully secured the return of 11 Pakistani nationals who were aboard a vessel taken into custody by the United States, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar announced.
In a statement, Dar said Pakistani authorities also facilitated the return of 20 Iranian citizens as part of a coordinated diplomatic effort involving multiple countries.
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According to the foreign minister, the repatriation process was made possible with support from Singapore, which played a key role in coordinating travel arrangements and diplomatic communication.
Dar said the Pakistani and Iranian nationals are currently on their way back home. He explained that after arriving in Singapore, the Pakistani citizens were later transferred to Bangkok, from where they boarded a flight to Islamabad.
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…
— Ishaq Dar (@MIshaqDar50) May 15, 2026
He added that arrangements were also being made to assist Iranian citizens in completing their journey home.
The foreign minister thanked Singapore’s leadership, government and foreign ministry for their cooperation and continued engagement throughout the process.
Dar also acknowledged the support of US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, expressing appreciation for close coordination in facilitating the return of the 31 Pakistani and Iranian nationals.
In addition, Dar praised Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi for his trust in Pakistan’s diplomatic efforts and said Islamabad would continue cooperating to assist Iranian nationals where possible.
No further details were immediately provided regarding the circumstances under which the vessel was seized by US authorities or the legal grounds for its detention.
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The development reflects Pakistan’s ongoing diplomatic engagement in resolving complex international consular matters, particularly involving citizens caught in regional tensions or maritime disputes.
Officials have not disclosed the identities of the repatriated individuals, but the announcement was welcomed as a positive outcome of regional and international coordination.
The successful return of the citizens also highlights the importance of multilateral diplomacy in managing cross-border humanitarian and legal issues involving detained or stranded nationals.