Fourteen Pakistani maritime crew members have remained stuck at Yemen’s Port of Aden for more than a month, raising serious concerns among their families. The crew has now urged the Pakistani government to step in and arrange their safe return home.
The case of Pakistanis stranded in Yemen involves the vessel MT Doren, which currently remains at the Aden anchorage. According to the crew, uncertainty over the ship’s legal status has prevented them from leaving the vessel or returning to Pakistan.
The Pakistani crew members joined MT Doren at the Port of Djibouti on April 14, 2026. After spending several months at sea, the vessel reached Yemen’s Port of Aden on July 30.
However, the situation changed only a few days later. Port State Control authorities in Aden took action against MT Doren on August 6 after officials raised concerns over the vessel’s flag documentation.
Crew members claim that authorities questioned the ship over allegedly fake flag documents. At the same time, the Pakistani sailors say they have no role in preparing, handling, or approving those documents.
According to them, the shipowners and management company handle all legal and registration matters linked to the vessel. Therefore, the crew believes the documentation dispute should not prevent ordinary sailors from returning to their respective countries.
The situation of Pakistanis stranded in Yemen has become more worrying because of the security conditions in the region. The crew says the continuing conflict has added fear and uncertainty to their already difficult circumstances.
Moreover, the sailors have spent several weeks away from their families while waiting for a solution. They now want Pakistani authorities to contact the relevant Yemeni officials and take immediate diplomatic steps.
MT Doren carries 23 crew members from three South Asian countries. The group includes 14 Pakistani nationals, eight Indian nationals, and one Bangladeshi national.
Meanwhile, the Pakistani crew members say the dispute mainly concerns the vessel’s owners, its operating company, and Yemeni authorities. They insist ordinary crew members should not suffer because of an issue outside their professional responsibilities.
Families of the Pakistanis stranded in Yemen now face growing anxiety as the matter continues without a clear resolution. The uncertainty over the sailors’ return has made the situation increasingly difficult for their relatives back home.
The crew has therefore appealed directly to the Government of Pakistan for help. They want officials to contact Yemeni authorities, determine their legal position, and facilitate their repatriation as quickly as possible.
Diplomatic intervention could play an important role because the crew members remain foreign nationals inside a conflict-affected country. Pakistani authorities could also coordinate with relevant maritime agencies and the vessel’s management to clarify the circumstances surrounding the detention.
At the same time, the sailors say they need a clear timeline for their release. They argue that keeping crew members stranded for an extended period creates additional concerns about their safety, welfare, and ability to communicate with their families.
The case of Pakistanis Stranded in Yemen also highlights the difficult position that seafarers can face when legal disputes surround the vessels they serve on. Sailors often travel between several countries. At the same time, shipowners and operators manage registration, documentation, and flag-related requirements.
In this case, the Pakistani crew members maintain that they had no connection with the disputed flag documents. They have asked authorities to separate the ship’s legal issues from the individual status of the sailors on board.
Furthermore, the crew says the regional security situation makes a quick solution even more important. Yemen continues to face conflict-related risks, and the sailors believe an extended stay could expose them to further problems.
The families also want the government to remain in direct contact with the crew. Regular communication could help authorities understand their condition while giving relatives accurate information about efforts to bring them back.
For now, MT Doren remains at the Aden anchorage with all 23 crew members on board. The Pakistani sailors continue to wait for progress between the vessel’s management, Yemeni authorities, and the relevant diplomatic channels.
The Pakistanis stranded in Yemen have once again called for urgent government attention. They hope diplomatic efforts can resolve the matter and allow them to leave Yemen without further delay.
As the situation continues, the crew’s main demand remains simple: a safe return to Pakistan. The Pakistanis Stranded in Yemen want authorities to resolve the legal complications surrounding MT Doren while protecting the rights and safety of the sailors who say they have no involvement in the disputed docume
