Overview
- The eight Iranian fishermen were processed in Karachi and departed for Tehran after being received and screened by Pakistani authorities, a move confirmed by Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar on Monday.
- The Pakistan Maritime Security Agency led reception, documentation and medical screening under a coordinated effort that included the foreign ministry, the Pakistan Navy, the Federal Investigation Agency and the Iranian Consul General.
- The fishermen were rescued at sea by the British vessel MMA Valour after their boat ran aground, and British and Pakistani officials worked together to arrange the transfer and onward travel.
- This return follows Pakistan’s recent handling of other at-sea cases, including May repatriations and transfers through Singapore, and Dar has said Pakistan is facilitating the return of a total of 30 Iranian nationals rescued by U.S. and British authorities.
- Islamabad frames the operation as humanitarian assistance that reinforces its mediation role between Washington and Tehran during follow-up talks in Switzerland after the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding.