KARACHI: Families of Pakistani nationals reportedly being held hostage by Somali pirates staged a protest outside the Ministry of Foreign Affairs office on Shahrah-e-Faisal in Karachi, where police detained several demonstrators. The affected families had been staging a sit-in near the Foreign Office since last night, demanding government action for the safe recovery of their relatives. The protesters had also announced plans to begin a hunger strike from Wednesday morning to press for the release of the hostages. Police launched a crackdown on the sit-in and detained 11 protesters, including six men and five women. Following the arrests, the affected families gathered at the Tipu Sultan Police Station and demanded the immediate release of those detained. Police later released all 11 protesters and returned the belongings that had been taken into custody during the operation. The families have been calling for urgent government intervention to secure the release and safe return of the Pakistanis allegedly being held captive by Somali pirates.