Islamabad (TDI): The Foreign Office on Monday said it was working to ensure the safe evacuation of former Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) senator Mushtaq Ahmad Khan, who was detained by Israeli forces last week after they intercepted an aid flotilla heading toward Gaza. Officials expressed optimism that the process would be “successfully concluded within the next couple of days.”
Mushtaq had led the Pakistani delegation aboard the Global Sumud Flotilla (GSF), a humanitarian convoy of 45 boats carrying aid for Palestinians. The flotilla, which included activists and politicians from several countries, among them climate activist Greta Thunberg, set sail from Spain last month to challenge Israel’s blockade of Gaza, where the United Nations has repeatedly warned of a humanitarian crisis. As the vessels neared Gaza, Israeli forces intercepted the flotilla and detained those on board.
In an official statement, the Foreign Office said, “The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Pakistan, through its embassy in Amman, is working tirelessly to secure the safe evacuation of former senator Mushtaq Ahmad Khan. With the invaluable assistance of the Jordanian government, we are hopeful that the process can be successfully concluded within the next couple of days.”
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The statement also expressed gratitude to Jordan for its “exemplary cooperation and generous support” in facilitating the efforts.
Last week, Pakistan, along with several other countries, condemned what it called Israel’s “dastardly attack” on the GSF.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had also urged Israel to release all detained activists. “We hope and pray for the safety of all those who have been illegally apprehended by Israeli forces and call for their immediate release,” he said in a post on X.
Later, the prime minister lauded the “dignified participation” of Pakistani activists, including Mushtaq, in the humanitarian mission and reiterated that the government was striving for their early and safe return.
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He also assured JI chief Hafiz Naeem-ur-Rehman in a telephone conversation that the government was fully engaged in efforts to bring back Pakistani nationals detained by Israel. The PM said that Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar was personally overseeing coordination with friendly nations and international organizations to expedite the process.
