The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) on Monday expressed hope that, with the assistance of the Jordanian government, Pakistani officials would soon secure the release of former Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) senator Mushtaq Ahmad Khan, who remains in Israeli detention. The ministry indicated that efforts were being made at multiple diplomatic levels and expected the matter to be resolved within the next few days.
Mushtaq Ahmad Khan had joined an international humanitarian flotilla that set sail in late August, attempting to break the Israeli naval blockade on Gaza and deliver essential aid to civilians trapped in the besieged enclave. The flotilla represented yet another attempt by global human rights activists to challenge Israel’s blockade and raise awareness about the worsening humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
According to reports, Israeli authorities detained more than 450 activists who participated in the mission. So far, around 170 have been deported, while hundreds remain under Israeli custody. Activists who have returned have spoken publicly about their ordeal, alleging mistreatment, denial of legal access, and inhumane detention conditions. Many described the experience as part of Israel’s broader pattern of discrimination and repression against those opposing its occupation policies.
The Gaza conflict continues to exact a devastating human cost, with more than 66,000 Palestinians reported killed, including a large number of women and children. International human rights organizations have condemned the ongoing offensive, calling it a form of collective punishment and urging global action to stop the violence.
Pakistan’s foreign ministry reiterated its commitment to safeguarding the rights of its citizens abroad and supporting international humanitarian missions aimed at alleviating the suffering of the Palestinian people.
