Pakistani crew of rescued cargo ship to return soon: Ansar Burney

KARACHI: Ansar Burney, Chairman Ansar Burney Trust, Tuesday confirmed that the 6 hijacked Pakistani crew members of the cargo vessel MT Morning Glory released from Libyan custody today will reach home soon.

The spokesman of Pakistan Foreign Office has confirmed the handing over of Pakistani crew to the embassy in Tripoli, Libya. He said flight arrangements were being made to take them back home.

The Pakistani crew is expected to return by Wednesday evening.

The released crew members of MT Morning Glory include 6 Pakistanis, 6 Indians, 3 Sri Lankans, 2 Syrians, 2 Sudanis and 2 Eritreans.

The Pakistan crew members are: Mirza Noman Baig (Captain), Ghufran Marghoob Ahmed (Cheif Officer), Syed Muhammad Mehdi Shamsi (2nd Officer), Syed Asif Hassan (3rd Officer), Naik Zada (Crew Member), Muhammad Irshad (Crew Member).

Ansar Burney said after the successful rescue effort by the American forces from Cyprian sea water, the cargo vessel along with 21 crew members had reached Libya, where they remained in government custody till earlier today.

He said all the crew members on Board remained safe and expressed gratitude to the Pakistan's Ambassador in Libya, Lt Gen (Retd) Javed Zia who visited and met the Pakistani crew.

Ansar Burney also thanked US President, Barrack Obama, US Pentagon, US Forces, Pakistan's President Mamnoon Hussain, Chief of Army Staff General Raheel Sharif, Secretary General of NATO Anders Fogh Rasmussen, US Embassy at Islamabad and Pakistan Embassy in Libya for saving 21 human lives including 6 Pakistanis.

He had requested Libyan authorities for an early release of all crew members citing the hardship they had already faced as a result of the hijacking of the vessel by Libyan rebels belonging to Port Es Sider.

Earlier, Ansar Burney had also urged Pakistan, India, Sri Lanka, Syria, Sudan and Eritrian governments to assist Ansar Burney Trust to ensure an early release of the 21 crew members.