Islamabad, October 6, 2025: The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said on Monday that it is making “tireless efforts” to secure the safe evacuation of former Senator Mushtaq Ahmad Khan, who was detained by Israeli forces during the interception of the Gaza aid flotilla.
In a statement, the Foreign Office (FO) confirmed that the Pakistani Embassy in Amman is in active contact with Jordanian authorities to facilitate the former senator’s release and return.
“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Pakistan, through its Embassy in Amman, is working tirelessly to secure the safe evacuation of former Senator Mushtaq Ahmad Khan,” the FO said.
Expressing optimism, the ministry said the process for the ex-lawmaker’s evacuation was expected to conclude within the next few days.
“With the invaluable assistance of the Jordanian government, we are hopeful that the process can be successfully concluded within the next couple of days. We are deeply grateful to the brotherly government of Jordan for its exemplary cooperation and generous support,” it added.
The former senator was among over 450 activists detained after Israeli naval forces intercepted the Global Sumud Flotilla on October 2 — a humanitarian convoy attempting to deliver aid to the besieged Gaza Strip.
According to reports, Israeli forces stopped more than 40 vessels approximately 42.5 nautical miles (79 km) off Gaza’s coast. Mushtaq Ahmad, who was leading a five-member Pakistani delegation, had joined international activists and aid groups onboard.
On Sunday, the FO said that Pakistan had confirmed — through diplomatic channels of a friendly European country — that Mushtaq Ahmad was in Israeli custody, “safe and in good health.”
“He will be presented before a court, and upon issuance of deportation orders, his repatriation will be facilitated on a fast-track basis,” the ministry noted.
The Israeli operation against the flotilla has drawn widespread criticism from several countries and international humanitarian organizations, who accused Tel Aviv of violating international law by obstructing aid to Gaza.
