Lost and found, fishermen share joy of return

Four litres of water and almost 1,500kg of tuna on board, 100 kilometres to the harbour; the time is around 5 pm, and suddenly the engine dies. Coincidentally the mobile phones of the crew of the ship started losing charge. So close yet so far, and thus began an ordeal that lasted almost ten days. Luckily the Omani authorities stepped in to search Ali al Jaaferi and Salem al Jaaferi.

Life since then has just changed completely for the duo. The monsoon winds ushered them towards Pakistan, and although they came across a ship, the sailors could not hear their cry for help until they came across a fishing boat. Within those days, they only had four litres of water which Ali said they used only to wet their throat and not even let it reach down to the stomach. All they knew was they had to preserve it until they found help.

Ali al Jaaferi explained all this as the two were being given a grand reception by the Pakistani community residing in the Sultanate of Oman, celebrating their safe return to their homeland.

Their boat had drifted towards the west coast and kept sailing for another six days till it reached the water of their neighbouring country Pakistan, a fishing boat noticed them on the 9th day and rescued and it was then the connection was established with their families back home where a huge search operation was undergoing by the Royal Navy of Oman, Oman Fisherman's Association and their family members who despite no success in locating them were hopeful that they are still alive and will return.

Pakistan Navy team, who were already on the lookout, reached them upon establishing contact with the Pakistani fishing boat that had rescued both Ali and Salem and took them to Karachi.



The Sultanate of Oman consulate in Karachi received them along with Pakistan Navy officials and later conducted a press conference at the Maritime centre.

Mian Mohammed Munir, former Chairman of Pakistan Social Club, hosted an evening for Ali and Salem and their family members to celebrate their safe return at Al Murooj Hotel, held under the auspices of honourable member of Majlis Ash'shura Rashid bin Abdullah al Ghailani as the Chief Guest and Guest of Honour Captain Kashif Farhan, Defence Attaché at the Embassy of Pakistan for the Sultanate of Oman. Senior community members and other dignitaries were also invited. Al Ghailani thanked the Pakistan government and Pakistan Navy for their utmost support. Speaking on the occasion Captain Kashif Farhan said that both the nations are not just neighbours but are brothers and it was our moral obligation to find Ali and Salem.

Counsellor Amjad Malik assured that they would grant visas to the Omani Fisherman's Association for their upcoming visit to Pakistan, who will be meeting Pakistan Navy officials along with the fishermen crew who found and rescued Ali & Salem.

The event management team, which consisted of Arshad Ali Khan, Ch. Abbas, Maqbool Sheikh, Nasser Marouf, Shabbir Ahmed, Kashif Zaeem, Kaleem, Asif Shakeel & Shaandar Bukhari managed & conducted this event. Omani poet Taqriq Zaki recited a couplet written for Ali & Salem. Senior Pakistani community members Syedzada Sakhawat Bukhari, philanthropist Mohammed Ali Fazal & Syed Fayyaz were also present.

@lakshmioman