Operation Umeed-e-Nuh
Pakistani human rights activist Ansar Burney and Governor of Sindh, Dr Ishrat-ul-Ibad Khan managed to secure the release of the 22 men crew with a payout of US$2.1 million.However, multiple issues involving low fuel and deteriorated operational and material meant that the crew needed additional help from the Pakistan Navy.Upon receiving request for help by the commanding officer Captain Syed Wasi Hassan, the Pakistan Navy dispatched its combatant frigates and naval helicopters to escort the merchant vessel to safety.The crew members, consisting of 4 Pakistanis, 6 Indians, 11 Egyptians and one Sri Lankan, were successfully brought to land at the port city of Karachi.The ship had a 22-member crew with 11 Egyptians, 6 Indians, 4 Pakistanis and a Sri Lankan, including and under the command of Captain Syed Wasi Hassan.[3] On 2 August 2010, as the merchant vessel sailed through the Internationally Recommended Transit Corridor (IRTC) in the Gulf of Aden, it came under attack from small arms fire by Somali pirates.[5] The Egyptian president of the ship's operating firm, Abdel Meguid Matar, was joined by Indian (Chandigarh-based) Alchemist Group's chairman and managing director and Rajya Sabha Member Kanwar Deep Singh.[citation needed] By the time the vessel was released on 13 June 2011, it was in a "deteriorating operational and material state" and was low on fuel.[9] The captain of MV Suez appealed to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Chief of Naval Staff seeking immediate help in view of their vessel being caught in strong winds feared capsizing since its release with 22-member crew of board by the Somalian pirates and series of misfortunes latest among them the breakdown of the tug towing MV Suez.[4] It also became clear how the owner of the ship abandoned all efforts to save it as sailor Ravinder mentioned in an earlier interview before boarding PNS Babur.