Islamabad: As a confidence-building measure by the United States of America, 22 crew members held aboard the seized Iranian container ship, 'MV Touska', have been evacuated to Pakistan.

According to the statement issued by the Foreign Office Spokesperson Tahir Hussain Andrabi, the individuals, who were flown to Pakistan, will be handed over to the Iranian authorities. The Iranian ship will also be backloaded to Pakistani territorial waters for return to its original owners after necessary repairs.

These returns are being coordinated in tandem with the support of both the Iranian and US sides.

Pakistan welcomes such confidence-building measures and will continue to facilitate dialogue and diplomacy while pursuing ongoing mediation efforts for regional peace and security.

Meanwhile Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar in a statement issued on X wrote, pleased to announce that twenty-two crew members from the seized Iranian container vessel, 'MV Touska', have been safely evacuated to Pakistan.

The individuals were safely flown in Pakistan last night and will be transferred to Iran. The Iranian ship is also being backloaded to Pakistani territorial waters for its return to its original owners after necessary repairs.

These actions are being coordinated with the support of both the Iranian and the US authorities and surely constitute an important confidence-building measure.

Pakistan expresses its appreciation to the United States and Iran, and remains committed to facilitating dialogue, diplomacy, and mediation for the regional peace and security.