The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said on Monday that I was making efforts for the safe evacuation of former Jamaat-I-Islami Muhstaq Ahmad Khan senator, who was arrested by Israel last week after intercepting a fleet of boats with help for Gaza, and hoped that the process could “conclude successfully in the coming days.”
Mushtaq led the Pakistani delegation in the Global Sumud (GSF) flotilla. The 45 vessel flotilla, with activists and politicians, including Greta Thunberg on board, left Spain last month to break the blockade of Gaza de Israel, where the United Nations warned of the famine.
Mushtaq was arrested by Israel after the Israeli forces intercepted and boarded the ship last week, stopping the activists.
“The Pakistan Foreign Ministry, through its Embassy in Amman, is working tirelessly to ensure the safe evacuation of former Senator Mushtaq Ahmad Khan,” said the FO in a statement.
“With the invaluable assistance of the Jordanian government, we hope that the process can conclude successfully in the next few days,” said the fo.
The statement also expressed a deep gratitude to the “fraternal” government of Jordan for “its exemplary cooperation and generous support.”
Last week, Pakistan and several other countries condemned Israel’s “assault attack” against the GSF, after his forces intercepted the flotilla in a movement that caused world protest.
Previously, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had asked the release of those arrested by Israel. “We hope and pray for the safety of all those who have been illegally arrested by Israeli forces and request their immediate release,” he said in an X publication on Thursday.
In a subsequent publication, he praised the “dignified participation” of the Pakistani activists, including Mushtaq, in the humanitarian mission.
“The Pakistan government … firmly demands the return of its citizens, praying and fighting for their safety, dignity and the first possible return to the homeland,” he added.
Israel has previously blocked similar attempts to take help to Gaza as well. In June, the Madleen help container, which transported 12 members, 11 activists and a journalist, on his way to break Gaza’s siege, was intercepted by Israeli forces.
