Pakistan Engages Global Partners for Repatriation of Ex-Senator Detained in Gaza Flotilla

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan is in contact with international partners to secure the release and repatriation of its citizens detained by Israeli forces following the interception of the Gaza-bound aid flotilla, the Foreign Office said on Sunday.

In a statement, the FO confirmed that former senator Mushtaq Ahmad — who was part of the Global Sumud Flotilla — was in the custody of Israeli authorities but was “safe and in good health”.

“Through the diplomatic channels of a friendly European country, we have confirmed that former senator Mushtaq Ahmad is in the custody of the Israeli occupying forces,” the statement read, adding that he would be presented before a court and deported soon after orders were issued.

Mushtaq Ahmad was leading a five-member Pakistani delegation aboard the flotilla, which set sail on October 2 with international activists and humanitarian volunteers to deliver aid to Gaza, which remains under Israeli blockade.

The Israeli military intercepted more than 40 vessels — around 42.5 nautical miles (79 km) off the coast — detaining over 450 activists from various countries, drawing widespread global condemnation.

The FO noted that it had previously facilitated the safe return of those who had disembarked earlier and expressed gratitude to “brotherly countries” that assisted in the process. It reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to ensuring the protection and repatriation of all its citizens abroad.

Meanwhile, diplomatic efforts to end nearly two years of war in Gaza are expected to resume in Cairo today, after Hamas reportedly gave a positive response to a US-backed roadmap for a ceasefire and governance transition.

Read More
Landslides and floods kill 22 as heavy rains wreak havoc in Nepal

Allegations of mistreatment

A group of 137 activists deported from Israel arrived in Turkey a day earlier, with two passengers alleging that Swedish activist Greta Thunberg was “mistreated” during detention.

Malaysian national Hazwani Helmi and American citizen Windfield Beaver told Reuters that detainees were “treated like animals” — denied clean food, water and medication — and claimed Thunberg was shoved and forced to wear an Israeli flag.

Italy’s foreign minister confirmed that 26 Italians were among those repatriated, while another 15 remained in custody pending deportation. Italian lawmakers who took part in the flotilla described the Israeli interception as “brutal” and accused Tel Aviv of holding them “hostage”.

Rights group Adalah alleged that several detainees were denied access to lawyers and basic necessities, and were forced to kneel with hands zip-tied for hours after chanting “Free Palestine”.