Ex-Senator Mushtaq Ahmad Khan Released After Israeli Detention, Reaches Pakistan Embassy in Amman

AMMAN/ISLAMABAD; Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar announced on Tuesday that former Jamaat-i-Islami (JI) senator Mushtaq Ahmad Khan, who had been detained by Israeli forces last week after they intercepted an aid flotilla for Gaza, has safely arrived at the Pakistan embassy in Amman, Jordan. Dar said Mushtaq is in “good health and high spirits.”

Mushtaq led the Pakistani delegation aboard the 45-vessel Global Sumud Flotilla (GSF), which departed from Spain last month carrying activists and politicians—including climate activist Greta Thunberg—in a bid to break Israel’s blockade of humanitarian aid to Gaza. However, the flotilla was intercepted by Israeli forces as it neared Gaza, and the activists on board were detained before being deported.

In a post on social media platform X, Ishaq Dar confirmed Mushtaq’s release, adding, “He is now safely with the Pakistan embassy in Amman. He is in good health and high spirits.” He further said the embassy was ready to assist Mushtaq in returning to Pakistan whenever he wished. Dar also expressed gratitude to friendly countries that played an active role in securing Mushtaq’s release.

Earlier, on Monday, the Foreign Office had said it was working for the safe return of the former senator with the “invaluable assistance” of the Jordanian government, expressing hope that the process would be completed in a few days. The FO also thanked the “brotherly” government of Jordan for its “exemplary cooperation and generous support.”

Pakistan, along with several other countries, had strongly condemned what it called Israel’s “dastardly attack” on the aid flotilla. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also urged Israel to release all detained activists and, during a phone conversation with JI chief Hafiz Naeemur Rehman on October 3, assured that the government was making active efforts for the safe return of Pakistani nationals, including Mushtaq Ahmad Khan.