The Pakistani crew of Morning Glory oil tanker captured by rebels in Libya has returned to Pakistan on Saturday morning. The captain along with other members of the crew received a warm welcome on their arrival at the airport as their families, friends and well wishers gathered to receive them.
They thanked God, family members and authorities for their help, prayers and efforts.
They told media that pirates wanted to use them against Libyan government.
The Morning Glory oil tanker, owned by Dubai-based Saud Shipping, had set off to Tunisia on February 25 but its owners told the crew to move towards Libya. At a Libyan port, the vessel and the crew were taken over by Libyan rebels, who stole national oil worth $20 million and loaded it on Morning Glory in a bid to sell it.
Taking the crew hostage, the armed Libyans forced them to move the ship out of the country’s territory and sail towards Cyprus. The Libyan government appealed to the US government to take action against the rebels and the US Navy Seals conducted a raid, took the rebels into their custody, and brought the crew and the vessel back to Libya.
Distressed families of the hostages had appealed to the president for the crew’s release. Following the appeals from the families, President Mamnoon Hussain directed the foreign office and Pakistan’s ambassador to Libya to ensure the release and safe return of the Pakistani crew members.