ISLAMABAD: Former senator Mushtaq Ahmad, who was detained by Israeli forces during the interception of a Gaza aid flotilla, has been released and is now safely with the Pakistan Embassy in Amman, Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar confirmed on Tuesday, May 28.
Mushtaq Ahmad was among several individuals detained earlier this month after Israeli forces intercepted the Global Sumud Flotilla, which was carrying humanitarian aid to Gaza.
In a post on X, DPM Dar added: “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. The Embassy stands ready to facilitate his return to Pakistan, in accordance with his wishes and convenience.” The deputy prime minister also expressed gratitude to friendly countries that assisted in securing Ahmad’s release. “I am pleased to extend our gratitude to all our friendly countries who actively engaged and assisted in this behalf,” he added. Arrangement has been by the Pakistan Foreign Office for return of Senator Mushtaq to Pakistan on 9th October, Insha’Allah, he added. In a message after release, the former senator described the mistreatment during Israeli custody. He said he was imprisoned at Ketziot Prison, also known as Ansar III, a high-security facility in Israel’s Negev desert. “I was subjected to torture. My eyes were blindfolded, guns were pointed at us,” he said. “I went on a hunger strike, and there was no access to air, drinking water, or medication by Israeli forces,” the former senator recounted. The former senator, who is now in Jordan under the care of the Pakistan Embassy in Amman, said he would soon return to Pakistan and share more details about his time in detention. “We will continue the struggle for the freedom of Palestine,” he added. The development came as Jordan’s state news agency reported on Tuesday that 131 Gaza flotilla activists were deported from Israel to Jordan.
