- Ex-senator is now safely with Pakistan embassy in Amman: DPM Dar.
- Dar expresses gratitude to all friendly countries over release.
- Ahmad says he was subjected to harsh treatment in Israeli custody.
Former senator Mushtaq Ahmad, who was detained by the Israeli forces in the Gaza aid flotilla interception, has been released and safely with the Pakistan embassy in Amman, Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar confirmed on Tuesday.
Mushtaq Ahmad was among several individuals detained earlier this month after Israeli forces intercepted the Global Sumud Flotilla, which was carrying humanitarian aid to Gaza.
The 45-ship flotilla, carrying activists and political figures, departed from Spain last month with an aim of breaking Israel’s blockade of Gaza, where the United Nations has warned of an impending famine.
In a post on X, DPM Dar added: “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.”
The deputy prime minister also expressed gratitude to friendly countries that assisted in securing Ahmad’s release.
“I am pleased to extend our gratitude to all our friendly countries who actively engaged and assisted in this behalf,” he added.
Ex-senator recounts ordeal in Israeli custody
The former senator has described the mistreatment he faced while being held in Israeli custody following his detention aboard the Gaza aid flotilla intercepted by Israeli forces last week.
In a video message released after his release, Ahmad said he was imprisoned at Ketziot Prison, also known as Ansar III, a high-security facility in Israel’s Negev desert.
“I was subjected to torture. My eyes were blindfolded, guns were pointed at us,” he said. “I went on a hunger strike, and there was no access to air, drinking water, or medication by Israeli forces,” the former senator said, recounting his experience.
The former senator, who is now in Jordan under the care of the Pakistan Embassy in Amman, said he would soon return to Pakistan and share more details about his time in detention. “We will continue the struggle for the freedom of Palestine,” he added.
Earlier, Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg had also alleged harsh treatment while in Israeli custody after her detention aboard the same flotilla, according to The Guardian.
Citing correspondence seen by the newspaper, the report said Thunberg was being held in a cell “infested with bedbugs” and provided with insufficient food and water. Thunberg told Swedish officials she was “forced to hold flags while pictures were taken” and that she had developed rashes “likely caused by bedbugs.”
The development came as Jordan’s state news agency reported on Tuesday that 131 Gaza flotilla activists were deported from Israel to Jordan via the Allenby Bridge crossing.
Jordan’s Foreign Ministry said the activists that arrived in the country are from Bahrain, Tunisia, Algeria, Oman, Kuwait, Libya, Pakistan, Turkiye, Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Colombia, the Czech Republic, Japan, Mexico, New Zealand, Serbia, South Africa, Switzerland, the UK, the US and Uruguay.
