Islamabad, May 8, 2026: Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar on Friday said he had contacted Singapore’s Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan to seek Singapore’s assistance in facilitating the welfare and repatriation of 11 Pakistani and 20 Iranian nationals aboard vessels seized by the United States.
In a statement shared on the social media platform X, Dar said the vessels were currently located near Singapore waters. He added that he also held discussions with Abbas Araghchi as both countries remained in close coordination over the issue.
“Pakistan also stands ready to facilitate the safe repatriation of Iranian nationals to Iran via Pakistan,” Dar stated.
He appreciated the cooperation being extended by Singapore and said Pakistani authorities, including the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, were closely coordinating with U.S. authorities and other relevant stakeholders to ensure the safety and early return of Pakistani nationals.
Meanwhile, the Foreign Office said the Singaporean foreign minister appreciated Pakistan’s diplomatic efforts and its role in promoting regional peace and stability, particularly through facilitating dialogue between the United States and Iran.
According to the FO, Dar reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to peace, dialogue and regional development during the conversation.
“The two sides discussed matters related to maritime affairs and recent incidents in international waters. They agreed to closely coordinate between the relevant authorities of the two countries,” the Foreign Office said in a statement.
The two foreign ministers also reviewed bilateral relations and emphasized the importance of continued high-level engagement and diplomatic coordination.
The development comes days after Pakistan facilitated the return of crew members from a U.S.-seized Iranian-linked vessel, with at least 15 sailors reportedly reaching Iran earlier this week as part of what the Foreign Office described as “confidence-building measures.”
The vessel in question, linked to the Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Lines (IRISL), was seized by U.S. forces on April 19 near Chabahar Port in the Gulf of Oman.
According to the United States Central Command, the vessel allegedly failed to comply with repeated warnings issued over a six-hour period and was accused of violating the U.S. maritime blockade related to Iranian ports.
Iranian authorities had earlier thanked Pakistan for facilitating the repatriation of Iranian nationals from the seized vessels and appreciated Islamabad’s diplomatic and humanitarian support.
The latest developments come amid heightened tensions in the region, particularly around the Strait of Hormuz — one of the world’s most critical shipping routes — where maritime security concerns have intensified following escalating hostilities involving Iran, the United States and Israel.
