Senior official to repatriate Indians in MV Suez crew

Islamabad: A senior Indian High Commission official  Suhail Izaz Khan, has been sent to Karachi to complete formalities for repatriating six Indians in the 22-member crew of MV Suez that was recently freed by Somali pirates after payment of ransom, after which they would be sent back to India, Foreign Secretary Nirupama Rao said on her way here from Delhi. The crew, including four Pakistanis, a Sri Lankan and 11 Egyptians, is expected to reach Karachi this afternoon on the Pakistan Navy warship PNS Zulfiqar. [caption id=“attachment_30124” align=“alignleft” width=“380” caption=“The crew will be taken to the Governor House, where a reception will be hosted for them. AFP”]  [/caption] Their release was immediately mired in controversy, with both India and Pakistan accusing each other of indulging in risky and dangerous manoeuvres when the freed merchant vessel was being escorted. Pakistan alleged that INS Godavari brushed with its frigate. It claimed that INS Godavari “not only hampered humanitarian operations being carried out by Pakistan Navy Ship Babur for Merchant Vessel Suez but also undertook dangerous manoeuvres, which resulted in the brushing of the sides” of the two warships. Sindh Governor Ishrat-ul-Ebad Khan will greet the freed sailors who were held by the Somali pirates for about 10 months. The crew will be taken to the Governor House, where a reception will be hosted for them. PTI