In-focus

Release of Albedos staff: Malik Riaz announces to pay ransom amount

Dunya News

Bahria Town owner Malik Riaz has announced to pay amount of ransom for release of MV Albedo staff.

MV Albedo’s staff’s family members including Hira, Mashal and Bakhtawar had appealed to President Asif Ali Zardari seeking his help for recovery of their father from clutches of pirates.On this appeal, President Zardari contacted the owner of Bahria Town Malik Riaz who has announced to pay the amount of ransom for the release of Albedo staff. He said that he would arrange the payment of the required amount.It has been over a year since 23 crew members of the MV Albedo were taken hostage by Somali pirates.The Somali pirates had initially demanded $8 million to release the captives, but after several rounds of negotiations the amount was brought down to $2.85 million.