Difficulties have emerged in bringing back to Pakistan the bodies of Pakistani nationals who were killed in a pirate attack in Somalia. According to sources, the families of the deceased have been asked to travel to Somalia or Dubai to identify the bodies.
Sources said shipping company Warf Chartering contacted the families of the deceased Pakistanis and asked one member from each family to travel to either Somalia or Dubai for the identification process.
According to sources, the company has also instructed Azhan, son of Second Officer Kashif Umar, and Muzammil, son of Third Engineer Mahmood Ansari, to submit their passports.
Sources said the families would have to travel to Bandar Bela, Somalia, or Dubai to identify the bodies. Following the identification process, the family members would return to Pakistan along with the remains of their loved ones.
However, sources said the families have refused to send their children to Somalia or Dubai for the identification process. They have instead called for the bodies to be brought back to Pakistan through appropriate arrangements.
Muzammil, son of deceased Mahmood Ansari, said, “We could not bring our father back alive; at least bring his body back to Pakistan.”
The families are seeking immediate arrangements for the safe repatriation of the bodies. Further developments are awaited regarding the identification process and the formalities required to bring the remains back to Pakistan.
