ISLAMABAD — Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) leader and former Senator Mushtaq Ahmad Khan returned to Pakistan on Thursday after enduring several days in Israeli custody, following his participation in the Global Sumud Flotilla, a humanitarian mission bound for Gaza.
Mushtaq Ahmad’s arrival at Islamabad airport turned into a moment of emotion and solidarity as hundreds of supporters, including JI members and pro-Palestine activists, gathered to welcome him. The crowd waved Palestinian flags and chanted slogans in support of Gaza, turning the airport forecourt into a scene of jubilation and defiance.
The former senator had joined the international flotilla as part of a global civil society effort to break Israel’s blockade on Gaza and deliver much-needed aid to the besieged enclave. However, the convoy came under attack by Israeli forces during its voyage, leading to the arrest of several participants, including Mushtaq Ahmad.
In a video message shared on his official Facebook page after his release, Mushtaq described the ordeal faced by him and his fellow activists. He revealed that around 150 members of the flotilla were detained at Israel’s Ketziot prison, where they were subjected to what he described as inhumane treatment.
“They handcuffed our hands behind our backs, shackled our feet, and blindfolded us,” he recounted. “We were beaten, threatened with dogs, and denied basic necessities like food, water, and medicines.”
The former lawmaker further shared that the detainees went on a three-day hunger strike to protest their mistreatment and demand fair treatment. After five days in detention, they were finally released and sent to Jordan, from where Mushtaq Ahmad returned home to Pakistan.
His release has sparked widespread appreciation among supporters and human rights activists, who hailed his courage and unwavering commitment to the Palestinian cause.
Mushtaq’s account sheds light on the harsh conditions faced by activists who join humanitarian efforts for Gaza, highlighting the continued risks and sacrifices made by those seeking to challenge the blockade and deliver relief to one of the world’s most embattled regions.
