Former Jamaat-i-Islami (JI) senator Mushtaq Ahmad Khan, who was detained last week by Israeli forces after they intercepted a flotilla carrying aid for Gaza, has been released and is now safely at the Pakistan embassy in Amman, Jordan. The country’s top diplomat confirmed his well-being following days of diplomatic efforts.
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar announced the news on Tuesday via social media platform X, stating, “I am pleased to confirm that former Senator Mushtaq has been released and is now safely with [the] Pakistan embassy in Amman. He is in good health and high spirits.”
Senator Khan was leading the Pakistani delegation on the 45-vessel Global Sumud Flotilla (GSF), which set sail from Spain last month with the aim of breaking Israel’s long-standing blockade of aid to Gaza. The flotilla included numerous international activists and politicians, notably climate advocate Greta Thunberg. However, as the vessels neared Gaza, Israeli forces intercepted them, detaining the activists before initiating the process of their deportation.
Foreign Minister Dar further noted that the embassy stands ready to facilitate Senator Khan’s return to Pakistan at his wish. He also extended “gratitude to all our friendly countries who actively engaged and assisted in this behalf.”
Mushtaq Ahmad Khan Vows: “The Fight for Palestinian Freedom Will Continue”
Following his release, Mushtaq Ahmad Khan posted a video on his X account, emphatically stating that the struggle against the Israeli blockade was far from over.
“I have reached Jordan along with 150 of my companions,” he said, confirming his release from Israeli detention. The former senator then recounted a harrowing ordeal during his confinement, alleging: “During this time, our hands were cuffed behind our backs, our feet were shackled and chained, we were blindfolded, dogs were set upon us, guns were pointed at us, and we were tortured in the worst way.”
He claimed that the detained activists went on a three-day hunger strike after being denied access to air, drinking water, medication, and not being allowed to lie down.
“We have been freed,” he declared in a resolute tone. “And the fight for Palestinian freedom will continue. We will break this blockade. We will go again and again. We will make efforts to save Gaza, and those who are complicit in this genocide—those criminals will be punished,” he asserted. Khan promised that the struggle would continue “from Adiala jail to Israeli jails,” and he would soon return to Pakistan to provide a detailed account of his time on the flotilla and in Israeli detention.
Diplomatic Channels and International Efforts
Pakistan’s Foreign Office (FO) had been actively engaged with international partners to ensure the “safety and prompt repatriation” of its detained nationals. The FO had earlier stated that in accordance with local legal procedures, Senator Mushtaq was to be presented before a court, and upon issuance of deportation orders, his repatriation would be expedited.
Pakistan, alongside several other nations, had condemned Israel’s “dastardly attack” on the GSF. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had earlier assured JI chief Hafiz Naeemur Rehman that the government was actively working to secure the safe return of all Pakistani nationals, including Mushtaq. The Foreign Office also expressed deep gratitude to the “brotherly” government of Jordan for “their exemplary cooperation and generous support” in facilitating the senator’s release.
