ISLAMABAD, MAY 8: Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Ishaq Dar on Saturday spoke with Singaporean Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan and requested Singapore’s support in facilitating the welfare and repatriation of 11 Pakistani and 20 Iranian seafarers.

The said individuals were aboard the vessels seized by US authorities and were currently near Singaporean waters, Deputy Prime Minister Dar wrote on his X timeline.

Dar said that he also spoke with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi as both countries remained in close coordination on the said matter.

He said that Pakistan also stood ready to facilitate the safe repatriation of Iranian nationals to Iran via Pakistan.

Appreciating the cooperation and support being extended by Singapore, DPM Dar said that Pakistan, through its Foreign Office and relevant authorities, was closely coordinating with US authorities and others to ensure the safety, welfare, and earliest possible return of its nationals.