KARACHI: After being released from an Israeli prison where he spent several days, former senator Mushtaq Ahmed Khan arrived in Jordan on Tuesday
Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar announced his release, saying that the former Jamaat-i-Islami (JI) senator had arrived at the Pakistan embassy in Amman, Jordan, and was in “good health and high spirits”.
He said that the embassy stood ready to facilitate his return to Pakistan at his wish. “[I] am pleased to extend our gratitude to all our friendly countries who actively engaged and assisted in this behalf,” he said.
Mr Khan was leading the Pakistani delegation on board the Global Sumud Flotilla, carrying aid for Gaza, when he detained by Israeli forces last week after they intercepted the flotilla on the high seas.
Over 170 activists, including Greta Thunberg, were deported to Athens on Monday, while he was among around 150 people released on Tuesday.
In a video recounting his time in Israeli custody, Mr Khan said that he had been incarcerated in a notorious Israeli prison
“During this time, our hands were cuffed behind our backs, our feet were shackled and chained, we were blindfolded, dogs were set upon us, guns were pointed at us, and we were tortured in the worst way,” he said.
He said that the activists went on a hunger strike for three days, adding that they were denied access to air, drinking water and medication, and were not allowed to lie down.
He stressed that the fight against the Israeli blockade was not over. “The fight for Palestinian freedom will continue. We will break this blockade. We will go again and again. We will make efforts to save Gaza, and those who are complicit in this genocide — those criminals will be punished,” he asserted.
He emphasised that the fight would continue “from Adiala jail to Israeli jails”, promising that he would return to Pakistan soon and provide a detailed account of his time on the flotilla as well as in Israeli detention.
