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Rapper Talha Anjum has once again raised the issue of 10 Pakistani mariners being held hostage by pirates off the coast of Somalia. He said they had been forgotten and accused the government of failing in its duty to protect Pakistani citizens.

In an Instagram story posted on Thursday, Anjum said, “[The] Pakistani government cannot protect [its citizens], whether it’s at home or in another country.”

The rapper lamented that “the media forgot about these families and sadly, so did the people of Pakistan.”

He was joined by his longtime collaborator Umair Tahir — known mononymously as Umair — in calling for a rescue. Tahir posted a story early on Friday, calling for all 17 crew members who were aboard the MT Honour 25 to be recovered.

The vessel was hijacked by pirates off the coast of Somalia in April, resulting in national outcry and calls for the government to work towards the rescue of the Pakistani sailors onboard.

Anjum was one of the first to speak up, saying he knew one of the crew members personally, adding that he was “like a brother” to him.

At the time, the rapper had said he was “ashamed” as a Pakistani at the government’s “non seriousness” and “under the rug policy” when it came to its citizens trapped abroad. He pleaded for authorities to “wake up and bring them home”.

In June, Anjum appealed for action again, this time urging the Foreign Office to set up a dedicated, constantly-manned helpline to liaise with the families of the hostages, who deserved answers beyond the “generic, occasional statement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs claiming they are ‘in touch with Somali Maritime forces’”.

Other celebrities who have spoken up on the issue include Mahira Khan, Sabeena Farooq and, most recently, Bushra Ansari.