Pakistan

Talat Hussain arrives back home

Three Pakistanis including Talat Hussain, who were detained by Israel, arrived in Islamabad on Friday.

Express June 04, 2010

Three Pakistanis, including TV anchor and columnist for Express Tribune Talat Hussain, who were detained by Israel following the brutal Israeli army raid on Freedom Flotilla, arrived in Islamabad on Friday.

After a warm welcome, Talat thanked the journalist community, organizations and people from cross sections of the society for this respect and the prayers for their safe arrival.

Talat Hussain, said that he and his team “had seen death from very close,” as Israeli commandoes boarded the boat and fired indiscriminately. “They started firing and two people died close to where I was,” said Hussain, who arrived in Lahore on Thursday.

Hussain said that he and his team had gone to Turkey to board the peace flotilla “because we thought it would be our only chance to visit Gaza and also set foot on the land with which so much Muslim history is attached.” He said that the plan was not to get into any confrontation with anyone.

The AAJ TV staffer also rejected Israeli allegations that there were guns on board the boats. “There were no weapons on board,” said Hussain as he was flanked by several newsmen. He said that the Israeli troops had stopped them in international waters and then took them into Israel where they were charged with illegal entry.

Hussain said that he was not happy to be the news as against report it. He said that his only fear as he was kept in confinement by the Israeli authorities was that the true of story of what happened on the peace flotilla would not be told to the world.

Published in the Express Tribune, June 4^th, 2010.

COMMENTS (28)

Nusrat Bokhari | 13 years ago | Reply Waiting for a detailed writeup from Talat Hussain on the happenings on board the Flotilla. For I trust him to write the truth.

Jabbar Habibani | 13 years ago | Reply Many Congratulations to Mr. Talat and his team for returning home safely. Talat is a very talented and bold person and he is my favorite anchor. I hope he will continue his impartial journalism and will also raise voice for the cause of Sindhi people as well. Jabbar Habibani Awami Jamhoori Party Sindh

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Sultan Ahmed | 13 years ago | Reply Israel is a one country in the world who is not bound any law/international law which has been farmed by the United nations. What it had done during the war imposed on Palestinians,violated all the principles set by the nations attributed to the world organization,bombard civilian's populations and killed innocent people including women and children, destructed houses of common citizen,arrested all they could captured and put them illegal custody many of them still behind the Israeli bars. Israel has disregarded important orders issued by the United Nations in regard to peace in the region. Israel made the life of every Palestinian a burning hell by imposing ban on the items of daily use such as eatables, in this way large number of human being died for this satanic deeds Israel is responsible, i am talking about the war when Bush was passing through last days of his presidency. there is no example such action taken by the Israel that to attacking the ships carrying goods for besieged peoples and arresting of those working for peoples facing death condition. Pakistani journalists had gone there for reporting so that they might be able to expose the real picture of the matter but Israel arrested them why? It is sign of interrogation, it need to understand.

Kashif | 13 years ago | Reply Talat, You have done a great Job, Allah has given you a second Chance. Live upto it and Report truthfully. You have done a great Job not only for Muslim ummah but as well as for your country. Every Pakistani is proud of you. May Allah bless you and your loved ones.

seemal nasir | 13 years ago | Reply Very honored talat bhai welcome back ... All the nation is proud of u n ur team ... I have prayed for ur safty...THANKS TO ALMIGHTY ALLAH that u r here with us ...May Allah bless u n your family Ameen

Zubair | 13 years ago | Reply @MB: The port of GAZA is not Israeli teritory, therefore it has no right to inpect what or who goes in or out of it. It should be completly up the Palestinian govt. chosen by palentnian people. If they want to defend their lands they should do it at THEIR boarders and not other peoples boarders. This would be the same as india blocking the cost of pakistan saying that there is cross boarder terrorism.

Tk | 13 years ago | Reply The leading Isalmic world never takes it so serious but Pakistaniese are always ready to block the roads.

Sher Zaman | 13 years ago | Reply It’s good that he remained safe and came back home; I hope he will describe the true version of the story, so that people may know what happened actually.

Pakistani Aaloo | 13 years ago | Reply Mr. MB, Israel does not face a 'Terror' threat. It only faces backlash for stealing land and for ostracizing and keeping under illegal blockade, a huge section of its own population. Talat may be right or wrong, yet that does not change that the blockade is illegal in itself - as is the state of Israel.

macNurv | 13 years ago | Reply @MB Stop trying to act like a concerned Pakistani, no matter how you spin it Israel is to blame and self obsessed delusional supporters of Israel like you will always blame others for their actions. So ZIP it.

nadir hassan khan | 13 years ago | Reply WELCOME back Talat!!! ROCK ON!!!

nadir hassan khan | 13 years ago | Reply Talat 'The Vampire Slayer' Hussain has always been my hero. i'm ecstatic that he's now everyone else's as well!!! :)

aqeel ahmed | 13 years ago | Reply welcome home dear Talat n ur crew. i have not heard a single word of protest from countries like saudi arabia,u.a.e.etc

Naheed | 13 years ago | Reply Welcome, safe and sound, Alhamdulillah. Pakistan nation is proud of you.

ahsan | 13 years ago | Reply Mr.MB write ur name clearly and categorically...u r saying the neutral things.then why u r so worried and hidding ur name.be brave man.

Mehr | 13 years ago | Reply I have new-found respect for Mr Talat Hussain, and our countrymen who risked their lives and ended up facing the a terrible manifestation of that risk.... It is inspiring to hear him say, that more than his life, he was concerned that the True story of what happened on the flotilla should be told to the world; his worry that being part of the news would harm the credibility of his report is also a testament to his professionalism and integrity.... He is what we call in Urdu, 'showq ka musafir' -- driven by the passion of uncovering truth.... I salute his courage, and of all the humanitarians, journalists and peace activists who braved this Barbaric onslaught from Israel, and exposed their Zionist ideal to be a mere reflection of the Fanatical Fascism that Jews (I will not say Israelis) had to face during the holocaust. Israel and Judaism are two separate entities -- in fact these are the real Extremists, the real Militants, who kill under the mask of religious identity, yet are only led by greed and hunger for worldly domination. And I salute the non-zionist Jews, who stand up for what they believe in, who are the real protectors and followers of their religion, who are conscious of the Jewish Golden Principle - of 'not doing to their brother what they would not have done to themselves'.... may God guide these Zionist Barbarians to the truth, God who is One, and the Lord of all the worlds, and the Same Lord for each of our faiths, the One Source of all creation -- whether we accept this reality or not. And may God guide the Muslim nations to overcome Israel's tyranny, to 'be' Muslim -- our leaders who are so embroiled in their own petty affairs, that they cannot overcome their petty differences, to unite and Stand Up for Justice --- what is the point of our creation, if not to stand up Against the Unjust, to Protect the Weak -- just to eat, sleep and work for our provisions --- nothing better than cattle who forage for food to survive --- what more can Mankind do than survive?

Sadia | 13 years ago | Reply I totally agree with how MB has shared different versions of the event. I think Talat Hussain should not, for the sake of journalistic ethics and logic, have made the claims about no weapons being on board. At the same time it shows how the journalists dish out half baked news devoid of research and reasoning to people. Talat Hussain and all other 'big' journalists need to wake up and do a reality check, keeping in view how Hamid Mir has been exposed recently. I wish the Pakistani media Good luck, and hope that they bridle themselves before it's too late.

Sheeba | 13 years ago | Reply its the grace of almighty Allah..that all three are back safely....may Allah forgive us and save all Muslim ummah from these cruel people

Syed Khurram Anwar | 13 years ago | Reply Talat! you are a hero. I offered Israel to take Zardari and Nawaz Shareef and give you back to us but unfortunately, they didn't listen :(

MB | 13 years ago | Reply [B] The Arab/Muslim Version: The ship was meant only for humanitarian purpose and it was not just about the MUSLIM or ARABS, there were internatinal and west media and org on the ship and if the ISRAELI's had so much doutb about suspected terrorist on the shipt they could have easily taken it to a safe place, check the ship properly and let them continue their journey. The indiscriminate firing was also not right as none of the soldiers were attacked with any arms etc. and the videos released by ISRAEL dont show any such usage too. Further, the ISRAEL could have involved international guarantors. Further who gave ISRAEL the right to abuse the international water laws.

MB | 13 years ago | Reply . . . reaching KARACHI for some humanitarian purpose without taking permission from GOV of pakistan and our intelligence sources alert the ARMY that some RAW men are on board or some arms or ammunition are hidden to be supplied to baloch seperatists, do you think we would act differently then what the ISRAELIs did ??

Syed A. Mateen | 13 years ago | Reply All Pakistani prayed for the safe return of Aaj TV team. The Government of Pakistan has also played an import role in the release of Aaj TV team. Now Talat has too much burden on his shoulders. As a TV anchor, will he be able to speak against the policies of the government? Let us wait and see. It is time for Talat to get on the top slot of PTV which was left by Dr. Shahid Masood. Dr. Shahid Masood has now become overall in charge of ARY Digital, so the move for Talat Hussain is in the offing.

MB | 13 years ago | Reply There are two versions to this story: [A] The Israeli version: The israeli's had already informed well the orginisers of this event that they have not taken permission from ISRAEL for their adventure so they these people took the risk of TESTING ISRAELI patience when they know well ISRAEL defends its borders at any cost. Second, while talat and others (and majority of muslim world) can say there were no arms, the fact remains many of the people on these ships had links with terror groups, so by the logic of taking cautious measures ISRAEL was right in not allowing it to touch its soil, further who knows may be TALAT himself didnot know the hidden places inside these boats where these terror outfits might have hidden arms or ammunition as the terrorist org around the world are known to use such tactics as HUMANITARIAN aid to supply arms etc. In recent times these terror org have officially opened sister-org as NGOs etc. Jamat-ud-dawa is best example in local scene. However, having said this, the ISRAELI's havent shown recovery of any arms and ammunition. Third, if you see the video released by ISRAELI gov one can cearly see that the people on the ship attacked the israeli soldiers with everything they had (may be even knives) as soon as the soldiers landed on the ship. You can easily see a dozen people attacking one soldier on averege. It is fair to say this prompted the israeli's to fire indiscriminately, which again is a wrong thing to do. However, if one wants to know the true or see things from a neutral perspective, its clear no side is innocent in this whole episode. Talat knew the risk in this adventure and yet choose to go, so he basically knew the coverege he will get at home and for AAJ TV , due to the emotional attachment of PAK with the GAZA cause. If you see from ISRAELI point of view, i think they have only over-acted in self defense and given the level of terror threat israel faces at the hands of many dozen terror org, you cant just put all the blame on ISRAEL, honestly. I mean if we come to konw that an INDIAN ship is reaching KARACHI

Muhammad Ali | 13 years ago | Reply I LOVE U SO MUCH SIR,YOU DONE A FANTASTIC JOB. I FEEL VERY PROUD THAT YOU BELONG TO THIS NATION.

Muhammad Ali | 13 years ago | Reply I am very much proud on this great Man and wish to be a part of your team.HE has done a great job for the Nation. May Allah keep him happy and healthy. God bless him.

anwaarahmad | 13 years ago | Reply Now Pakistanis should prepare a Noah's ark and request Zardari,Rehman Malik,Babar Awan,Watoo,Sharif Brothers,C.J.Army chief with Shahid Masood,Kamran Khan,Shaheen Sehbai,Saleh Zaafar,Akram Shiekh and both Peerzadas.If Israel takes care of them,Pakistanis would celebrate their wisdom of not having diplomatic relations with Israel.

Ali Haider | 13 years ago | Reply Welcome back sir!

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