By ABDULLAH Former Jamaat-e-Islami senator Mushtaq Ahmad Khan has returned home to a hero’s welcome after being released from Israeli custody. The crowd at Islamabad International Airport erupted in cheers, waving Pakistani and Palestinian flags, as the former lawmaker stepped off his flight from Amman, Jordan.
Wearing a traditional keffiyeh, Mushtaq Ahmad was showered with rose petals by supporters who hailed him as a national hero for his attempt to break Israel’s blockade on Gaza. His emotional return followed days of uncertainty after he and other activists were detained by Israeli forces while participating in the Global Sumud Flotilla a humanitarian mission carrying food and medicine for the people of Gaza.
The Global Sumud Flotilla made up of around 45 boats and over 500 activists, lawyers, and politicians set sail from Spain last month. Its mission was simple but bold: to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza, where the ongoing conflict has caused what the UN calls a “catastrophic humanitarian crisis.”
As the flotilla neared Gaza’s waters, Israeli naval forces intercepted the boats. Mushtaq Ahmad, who led the five-member Pakistani delegation, was detained along with others. Among the passengers were well-known global activists, including climate campaigner Greta Thunberg.
Mushtaq was later transferred to Ketziot Prison (Ansar III) a high-security facility in Israel’s Negev Desert where he says he was subjected to torture and inhumane treatment.
After his release, Mushtaq Ahmad shared a harrowing account of his time in detention. In a video message posted on his social media, he said:
“Our hands were cuffed behind our backs, our feet were chained, we were blindfolded, and dogs were set upon us. We were denied air, water, and even the right to lie down.”
He added that the detainees went on a three-day hunger strike, demanding humane treatment. Despite the ordeal, Mushtaq remained defiant:
“We have been freed, but the fight for Gaza continues. We will keep standing for Palestine again and again until justice is served.”
His words have resonated across Pakistan, with social media flooded by messages of support and admiration.
The Government of Pakistan, led by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, played a crucial role in securing Mushtaq Ahmad’s release.
Dar confirmed on X (formerly Twitter) earlier this week:
“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.”
He also expressed gratitude to Jordan and other countries that assisted Pakistan’s diplomatic efforts. The Pakistan Embassy in Amman ensured Mushtaq’s smooth repatriation and coordinated with Jordanian authorities for his departure.
The Foreign Office had been in close contact with Mushtaq during his detention, even reaching out through a European intermediary mission in Tel Aviv to ensure his safety.
Upon landing in Islamabad, Mushtaq Ahmad addressed his supporters with strong words against Israel, calling the occupation “an ongoing genocide.”
“This illegitimate state must be held accountable,” he said passionately. “The world cannot remain silent while Gaza burns. The people of Pakistan and the entire Muslim Ummah must stand united.”
He revealed that the flotilla had come under three drone attacks during its voyage but that the participants remained determined to reach Gaza. “We spent thirty days and nights at sea,” he recalled, “but our mission was clear to break the siege and deliver aid to innocent civilians.”
The return of Mushtaq Ahmad has sparked widespread discussion across Pakistan. Many see his courage as a symbol of Pakistan’s moral support for Palestine, especially at a time when the humanitarian situation in Gaza remains dire.
Citizens and politicians alike praised the Foreign Office’s swift diplomatic action. Jamaat-e-Islami leaders hailed Mushtaq as a “hero of the Muslim Ummah,” while others called for greater international pressure on Israel to end its blockade of Gaza.
Online, hashtags like #WelcomeMushtaqAhmed and #FreePalestine have been trending on Pakistani social media since Thursday morning.
Mushtaq Ahmad has vowed to continue his activism for Palestinian rights. “From Adiala Jail to Israeli jails, the struggle for freedom will not stop,” he declared.
His journey may have ended for now, but the spirit of resistance he embodies has reignited Pakistan’s public support for Gaza. As images of his flower-filled welcome spread across the internet, one thing became clear Pakistanis see him not just as a politician, but as a symbol of courage, conviction, and solidarity with the oppressed.