ISLAMABAD: Mushtaq Ahmad Khan, a former member of Pakistan’s upper house and chief of the Pakistan-Palestine Forum, has been released from Israeli custody after being detained for participating in the Gaza Aid Flotilla, the Forum’s spokesperson Wahaj Ahmad told WE News on Tuesday.
As of October 7, 2025, Israel has deported 341 of the 479 activists it detained while intercepting the Global Sumud Flotilla — a humanitarian convoy aimed at delivering aid to Gaza. The activists included Swedish climate campaigner Greta Thunberg and other international citizens.
According to Wahaj Ahmad, Senator Mushtaq Ahmad has now arrived safely in Jordan following his release, along with other members of the aid mission. The Pakistan-Palestine Forum praised their efforts as a “symbol of courage and solidarity with the oppressed people of Gaza.”
مشتاق احمد خان صاحب اسرائیلی جیل سے رہا ہو کر اردن پہنچ گئے۔
(ایڈمن) pic.twitter.com/gJi6zXFUTZ
— Senator Mushtaq Ahmad Khan | سینیٹر مشتاق احمد خان (@SenatorMushtaq) October 7, 2025
At least six Pakistanis, including Mushtaq Ahmad and a minister from Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK), were among the activists aboard the Gaza-bound Global Sumud Flotilla intercepted by Israeli naval forces.
The Pakistani delegation was led by Mushtaq Ahmad Khan, known for his outspoken support for Palestine. Alongside him was Mazhar Saeed Shah, the Information Minister of AJK, who described participation in the flotilla as a “moral duty to stand with Palestinians under siege.”
Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar confirmed that former Senator Mushtaq Ahmad Khan, detained by Israel, has been released and is now safely with the Pakistan Embassy in Amman, Jordan.
“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,” Dar said on X (formerly Twitter).
He also extended gratitude to “all our friendly countries who actively engaged and assisted in this behalf,” acknowledging the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Pakistan’s coordination efforts.
I am pleased to confirm that former Senator Mushtaq has been released and is now safely with 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.
Am pleased… pic.twitter.com/IbZQKvzWyb— Ishaq Dar (@MIshaqDar50) October 7, 2025
Other members of the Pakistani team identified by local media and activist networks included Ismail Khan, Syed Aziz Nizami, Dr Osama Riaz, Wahaj Ahmad, and Maulana Khateeb ul Rehman. Together, they represented a cross-section of political, religious, and civil society voices determined to draw global attention to Gaza’s humanitarian catastrophe.
The Global Sumud Flotilla, consisting of 42 vessels, was intercepted by Israeli forces in international waters as it attempted to deliver food, medicine, and relief supplies to Palestinians in the besieged enclave.
Mushtaq Ahmad has long been an outspoken critic of Israel’s blockade of Gaza and a leading advocate for Palestine in Pakistan’s parliament, urging the international community to hold Israel accountable for war crimes and to lift the siege on the enclave.
