Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar said that he had spoken with Singaporean Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan and requested the country’s support in facilitating the “welfare and repatriation of 11 Pakistani and 20 Iranian seafarers, aboard vessels seized by US authorities and currently near Singaporean waters”.

He said that he also spoke with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi “as we remain in close coordination on the matter”.

“Pakistan also stands ready to facilitate the safe repatriation of Iranian nationals to Iran via Pakistan,” he said.

“We appreciate the cooperation and support being extended by Singapore. Pakistan, through its Foreign Office and relevant authorities, is closely coordinating with US authorities and others to ensure the safety, welfare, and earliest possible return of our nationals,” he said.