Homecoming: MV Albedo crew reunites with families

KARACHI: Touching scenes were witnessed at Karachi airport where the Pakistani crew of MV Albedo reunited with their families upon their arrival here on Thursday, following their release by the Somali pirates.

Seven Pakistanis forming part of the crew of Malaysian container ship, MV Albedo, returned home to a warm welcome upon their arrival here from Dubai, following the release of the vessel and its crew from the captivity of Somali pirates.

Sindh Governor, Dr. Ishrat-ul-Ebad Khan and Chief Minister Sindh Syed Qaim Ali were also present on the occasion besides ministers and other dignitaries.

The released Pakistanis thanked the Sindh Governor for taking effective steps that bore fruitful results.

Later, the released crew along with their families were taken to the Governor House.

The Pakistanis released by the Somali pirates include the MV Albedo's captain Javed Salim Khan (resident of Karachi) besides Chief Officer Mujtaba from Mansehra, Third Officer Raheel Anwar from Faisalabad, Seaman Ahsan Naved from Jehlum, Seaman Faqir Muhammad from Karachi, Fourth Engineer Zulfiqar Ali from Gujrat and Seaman Kashif Islam from Dir.

The MV Albedo, a Malaysian-flagged container ship which was hijacked by Somali pirates in November 2010.

Of all 22 hostages, seven each are from Pakistan and Bangladesh, six from Sri Lanka, and one each from India and Iran.

One Indian sailor had already died during captivity.