Pakistan maritime agency says repatriating eight Iranian nationals rescued at sea

ISLAMABAD: The repatriation of eight Iranian nationals rescued at sea by the British vessel MMA Valour is underway, the Pakistan Maritime Security Agency (PMSA) said on Sunday, adding that local authorities were coordinating the operation.

The development comes after Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar said last week that the country was facilitating the repatriation of 30 Iranian nationals including eight fishermen and 22 crew members, who were rescued at sea by US and British authorities.

The repatriation operation is the latest in a series of efforts by Islamabad to assist Iranian nationals affected by the conflict between Washington and Tehran. All the Iranian nationals are expected to transit through the southern Pakistani city of Karachi, according to Dar.

“Necessary reception, documentation, medical screening and coordination for onward repatriation were undertaken under the lead coordination of PMSA,” the maritime agency said in a post on X.

The PMSA added that the operation was carried out in close coordination with all the stakeholders and involved officials from Pakistan’s foreign ministry, the Pakistan Navy, the Federal Investigation Agency, and the Consul General of Iran.

The repatriation operation reflects Pakistan’s commitment to humanitarian assistance, safety of life at sea and regional maritime cooperation, the PMSA said.

It highlighted the PMSA’s continued commitment to safeguarding lives at sea and ensuring timely assistance during maritime emergencies.

The repatriation operation comes as Pakistan continues to mediate talks between the United States and Iran in Switzerland, aimed at reaching a lasting agreement following the signing of the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding.

In May, Pakistan facilitated the repatriation of 22 Iranian sailors from Islamabad to Tehran after their vessels were seized by the United States near Singaporean waters.