KARACHI - Sindh Governor Dr Ishratul Ebad said on Thursday that the success of operation ‘Subhe Nau’ for the release of seven Pakistani crew of Malaysian flagged ship, MV Al-Bedo, has made the whole nation proud.

He was speaking at a reception hosted in the honour of the seven sailors at the Governor House here. The sailors, released by Somali pirates nearly after two years, arrived here on Thursday night.
Dr Ishratul Ebad said they will continue to make efforts for the release of remaining hostages who belonged to other countries. He stressed relevant countries to make efforts for the release of their citizens.
He said the families of these Pakistani seamen had been going through very difficult time for the past two years. He said the release of the hostages is a great occasion for the nation.
The governor said no ransom has been paid for the release of these sailors.
Dr Ishratul Ebad said President Asif Ali Zardari, Prime Minister Raja Pervez Ashraf, Sindh Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah, Director General Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), Naval Chief, former prime minister Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani, Malik Riaz of Bahria Town, Citizens Police Liaison Committee (CPLC) chief Ahmed Chinoy, and Pakistani envoys in Dubai and Malaysia supported on the matter.
He also thanked MQM chief Altaf Hussain for his guidance and cooperation in the release of the seamen.
The governor appreciated the human spirit of Malik Riaz. He said the release of these people became possible due to team work.
He congratulated the sailors and said he had fulfilled his promise he had made with their families.
The captain of MV Al-Bedo, Javed Saleem, said they had become hopeless about their lives, as they were treated very harshly during captivity.
The captain said he and other crew members are thankful to President Asif Ali Zardari, Sindh Governor Dr Ishratul Ebad, MQM chief Altaf Hussain, and CPLC chief Ahmed Chinoy.
He hoped that the remaining hostages of the ship who belong to various other countries, will also be released. Later, the governor presented souvenirs to all the seven seamen.