ISLAMABAD: Former Pakistani senator and delegation leader Mushtaq Ahmad Khan has been released from Israeli custody and has safely reached Jordan, according to an official confirmation from Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar.
Khan, who was detained by Israeli naval forces during the Gaza-bound Sumud Flotilla mission, was freed via the Jordanian border alongside delegates from Tunisia, Morocco, and Algeria, the Foreign Office confirmed on Monday. The flotilla had set sail with the aim of breaking Israel’s long-standing blockade of Gaza and delivering humanitarian aid to Palestinians.
Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister Dar said in a post on X that Mushtaq Ahmad Khan is now at the Pakistan Embassy in Amman, where he is reported to be in “good health and high spirits.”
“I am pleased to confirm that former Senator Mushtaq Ahmad Khan has been released and is now safely with the Pakistan Embassy in Amman,” Dar wrote. “He is in good health and high spirits. The Embassy stands ready to facilitate his return to Pakistan in accordance with his wishes and convenience. I extend our gratitude to all friendly countries who actively engaged and assisted in this matter, as well as to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Pakistan.”
Mushtaq Ahmad Khan, a senior leader of Jamaat-e-Islami and vocal supporter of the Palestinian cause, was among several international activists detained when Israeli forces intercepted the Sumud Flotilla in international waters last week. The flotilla, carrying humanitarian supplies, was part of a civil society initiative to challenge the siege on Gaza amid ongoing Israeli military operations.
Earlier, Pir Mazhar Saeed Shah, another Pakistani participant of the flotilla, safely returned to Pakistan. He arrived in Islamabad via Doha, where he was warmly received by supporters and family members.
Diplomatic efforts to secure the release of all detained activists intensified over the weekend, with Pakistan’s Foreign Office confirming continuous engagement with multiple governments, including Jordan, Turkiye, and Qatar, to ensure the safety of Pakistani nationals.
The Foreign Office had earlier stated that it was in close contact with Israeli authorities through diplomatic intermediaries to confirm the welfare of the Pakistani delegation and to secure their release.
It is worth recalling that Israel recently released 137 international activists detained from the flotilla, including 36 Turkish nationals, following international pressure and diplomatic outreach by several countries.
The Pakistani government has expressed appreciation for the Jordanian authorities’ cooperation and reaffirmed its commitment to supporting international humanitarian efforts for Gaza. Officials said arrangements are being finalized for Mushtaq Ahmad Khan’s return to Pakistan in coordination with his family.
The Sumud Flotilla mission has drawn global attention to Israel’s ongoing blockade of Gaza, which human rights organizations and international observers have condemned as collective punishment against Palestinians. The mission’s participants, representing over 30 countries, have pledged to continue their advocacy for Palestinian rights despite the detentions.
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