Rapper Talha Anjum has once again spoken out about the ten Pakistani mariners still being held hostage by pirates off the coast of Somalia, saying the issue has faded from public attention while the affected families continue to wait.
In an Instagram story posted on Thursday, Anjum said the “Pakistani government cannot protect [its citizens], whether it’s at home or in another country.” He added that both the media and the people of Pakistan seemed to have forgotten about the families waiting for news.
He was joined by longtime collaborator Umair Tahir, who called for the rescue of all 17 crew members aboard the MT Honour 25. The vessel was hijacked off the Somali coast in April, sparking widespread public concern and demands for government action to bring the sailors home.
Anjum was among the first celebrities to raise the issue, revealing that one of the crew members was someone he considered “like a brother.” At the time, he said he felt “ashamed” as a Pakistani over what he called the government’s lack of seriousness, urging authorities to act and bring the men home.
In June, he renewed his appeal, asking the Foreign Office to set up a dedicated helpline for the hostages’ families, saying they deserved more than occasional statements about being “in touch” with Somali maritime forces.
Other public figures, including Mahira Khan, Sabeena Farooq, and Bushra Ansari, have also spoken up in support of the hostages’ release.
