Pakistani engineer Hammad Ubaidah remains missing after a fire broke out on a ship near an Omani port, with his family saying they have received no official information about his whereabouts.

According to his family, Hammad Ubaidah was working as a third engineer on the ship and had left his home town Karachi on September 6 to report for duty.

The family said that they were informed on September 13 that a fire had broken out on the vessel, damaging the engine room and other parts of the ship. There were 25 crew members on board at the time of the incident, 23 of whom were rescued.

According to Hammad’s family, he was on the night shift in the engine room when the incident occurred. Crew members told the family that the chances of survival for those inside the engine room were extremely low. It remains unclear whether Hammad survived or died in the incident.

Speaking on Wasim Badami’s show, Hammad’s brother said that the family had contacted several government departments but had received no information about the incident or any search operation.

He said that he first approached the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) and asked to meet an official but was repeatedly told to return later or wait for someone to contact him.

“We were essentially turned away right at the gate,” he said.

Hammad’s brother added that the family also submitted a complaint to the Crisis Management Unit of the MOFA through its official email but was later told that no complaint had been received.

He also claimed that when he contacted the Pakistan Maritime Security Agency around 12 to 14 hours after learning about the incident, officials appeared unaware that the fire had occurred.

“They started taking details from me instead: ‘Tell us the ship’s name, your brother’s name, passport number.’ I literally couldn’t comprehend what was happening,” he stated

According to Hammad’s brother, one of the 23 rescued crew members was his brother’s batchmate. The family learned through him that a missile or drone attack had occurred near the engine room, causing a severe fire.

Based on the batchmate’s account, the family suspects that Hammad may have died in the incident. However, his brother said the family has not received official confirmation of his status.

“Should someone not officially inform me whether my brother is alive or martyred,” he asked.

He said that the family wants authorities to provide information about Hammad’s status and if he has died, help recover his remains so the family can perform his final rites.

Hammad’s brother also spoke about the missing engineer’s three-year-old son and said the child had asked him about his father. He added that Hammad’s wife is expecting another child.

The brother mentioned that he had been searching social media for information about the incident and was trying to find out whether a rescue or search operation was underway, whether the fire had been put out and where the ship was being taken.

“I feel neglected by our own state, as if no government authority is willing to take ownership of this incident,” he remarked.

Hammad’s brother said that there had been “absolutely nothing” from Pakistani institutions so far.

The family has appealed to the Government of Pakistan and relevant authorities to contact Omani officials and ensure that efforts to locate Hammad continue.

They have also urged authorities to provide immediate information about his status and, if he has died, help recover his body.