ISLAMABAD: Former Senator Mushtaq Ahmed returned to Pakistan on Thursday, landing at Islamabad airport to a warm welcome, days after his release from Israeli detention.
Senator Mushtaq was among the political figures and international activists detained last week when Israeli forces intercepted the Global Sumud Flotilla, a convoy that had set sail from Spain aiming to deliver symbolic aid to Gaza and protest the ongoing naval blockade.
The former JI’s senator safe arrival followed dedicated diplomatic efforts led by Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar. The former Senator was released from Israeli custody on Tuesday and was first transferred to the care of the Pakistani Embassy in Amman, Jordan.
He subsequently departed for Pakistan, arriving in Islamabad from Oman on a flight where he was met by supporters.
The Foreign Office confirmed the safe return, noting that DPM Dar had personally contacted Jordan’s Deputy Prime Minister Ayman al-Safadi to express gratitude for Amman’s assistance in facilitating the transit.
Senator Mushtaq upon being released narrated the ordeal he went through while in captivity and claimed of being abused and mistreated at Israel’s high-security Ketziot (Ansar III) Prison.
The interception of the Global Sumud Flotilla, which involved the arrest of approximately 450 participants, has sparked widespread global criticism.
