Pakistan Agrees To Grant Consular Access To 6 Indian Seafarers Stranded At Karachi Port | Exclusive Details

Last Updated:November 14, 2026, 12:43 AM IST

MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal had stated that Indian officials were actively engaging with the Pakistani side, the sailors, and the vessel’s employer to resolve the impasse

For the past several months, the stranded seafarers have endured erratic power supply and severely restricted mobile connectivity, managing to speak with relatives in India roughly once every two weeks. File pic/Reuters

In a significant diplomatic breakthrough, Pakistan has agreed to process New Delhi’s formal request and grant consular access to six Indian seafarers who have been stranded aboard a commercial cargo vessel at Karachi Port for nearly seven months. According to senior sources in Pakistan’s Foreign Office, authorities are moving forward with arrangements to allow officials from the Indian High Commission in Islamabad to meet the crew members docked at Berth No. 21, West Wharf.

The development comes hours after India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) confirmed in New Delhi that it had formally approached Islamabad seeking urgent consular assistance for the stranded mariners. Addressing the weekly media briefing earlier on Friday, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal stated that Indian officials are actively engaging with the Pakistani side, the stranded sailors, and the vessel’s employer to resolve the prolonged impasse.

Why the Six Indian Sailors Have Been Stuck Since April

The six Indian crew members—including a senior Merchant Navy officer from Uttar Pradesh’s Prayagraj—have been confined to the vessel since April 17, 2026. Their ordeal stems from a commercial and legal dispute between the ship’s operator, Iran-based KEVER Shipping Company, and Karachi port authorities. Following the vessel’s detention, port officials reportedly seized the crew’s passports, leaving the sailors unable to disembark even after their employment contracts expired.

As Jaiswal noted, international maritime regulations prevent crew members from abandoning a vessel while it remains in port unless a formal relief crew arrives to take over operations. Although formalities for boarding six replacement mariners were initiated late last month, pending port clearances have delayed the handover.

Growing Anxiety Back Home as Families Await Repatriation

For the past several months, the stranded seafarers have endured erratic power supply and severely restricted mobile connectivity, managing to speak with relatives in India roughly once every two weeks. With Pakistan now clearing the way for consular access, Indian diplomats are expected to assess the sailors’ welfare on board and expedite documentation for their safe repatriation once the replacement crew embarks.

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Why are six Indian seafarers stranded at Karachi Port?

The six Indian crew members have been confined to their cargo vessel at Karachi Port since April 17, 2026, due to a commercial and legal dispute between the ship’s operator, KEVER Shipping Company, and Karachi port authorities, which led to the seizure of their passports.

When did the Indian crew members first become trapped on the vessel?

The crew members, including a senior Merchant Navy officer from Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, have been stuck aboard the vessel since April 17, 2026.

What is preventing the stranded Indian sailors from leaving the ship?

International maritime regulations prevent crew members from abandoning a vessel while it is in port unless a formal replacement crew takes over. Although replacement mariners were organized, their embarkation was delayed by pending port clearances.

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Manoj Gupta

Group Editor, Investigations and Security Affairs, Network18

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