Ex-senator Mushtaq, who had been detained by Israel, reaches home

Former Jamaat-i-Islami (JI) senator Mushtaq Ahmad Khan, who been detained by Israeli forces after they intercepted a flotilla of boats carrying aid for the residents of Gaza, finally reached Pakistan on Thursday, reported 24NewsHD TV channel.

A warm reception was given to the former senator on arrival at the Islamabad airport from Bahrain n board a Gulf Airline’s flight GF-770.

A large number of people, carrying Palestinian flags in their hands, welcomed Mushtaq.

The Pakistan embassy in Jordan had said late Wednesday night that the former senator had safely departed for Pakistan.

Mushtaq led the Pakistani delegation on the 45-vessel Global Sumud Flotilla (GSF), which left Spain last month to deliver relief items to the people of Gaza with activists and politicians, including Greta Thunberg, on board. 

However, as it neared Gaza, Israeli forces intercepted it and detained the activists on board.

Earlier on Wednesday, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar spoke with Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Jordan Ayman Safadi, and appreciated Jordan’s role in receiving the flotilla’s released detainees and facilitating their return home.

“He also thanked Jordan for its assistance in enabling the return of former senator Mushtaq Ahmad Khan to Amman.”

On Tuesday, Dar had stated that Mushtaq had been released and was safely with the embassy in Amman. He also said that he had spoken to the ex-senator on arrival in Islamabad from Malaysia.

Meanwhile, the former senator, in a video he posted on his X account on Tuesday, stated that the fight against the Israeli blockade was not over yet.

“I have reached Jordan along with 150 of my companions,” he said, adding that he had finally been released from Israeli detention.

“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 said.

He further said that the activists went on a hunger strike for three days to protest their treatment at the hands of Israeli forces, adding that they were denied access to air, drinking water, medication, and were not allowed to lie down.
 

Reporter: Usman Khan