Heroic return: Mushtaq Ahmad lands at Islamabad airport

Crowds gather to celebrate former senator's return from Israeli detention after intercepted Gaza aid bid

Jamaat-i-Islami former senator Mushtaq Ahmad returned to Pakistan on Thursday after his release from Israeli custody, arriving in Islamabad from Amman via a private airline.

Ahmed was welcomed warmly by supporters upon his arrival at Islamabad airport.

اس ناجائز ریاست اسرائیل کو مٹائیں گے، سینیٹر مشتاق کا پاکستان پہنچنے پر خطاب pic.twitter.com/0r99DBb2aU

— Rizwan Ghilzai (Remembering Arshad Sharif) (@rizwanghilzai) October 9, 2025

Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar took to X to confirm that Jamaat-i-Islami’s former senator had been released and was safely with the Pakistan Embassy in Amman, Jordan.

I am pleased to confirm that former Senator Mushtaq has been released and is now safely with 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.
Am pleased… pic.twitter.com/IbZQKvzWyb

— Ishaq Dar (@MIshaqDar50) October 7, 2025

"The Embassy stands ready to facilitate his return to Pakistan, in accordance with his wishes and convenience."

Dar also expressed gratitude to all countries who "actively engaged and assisted" the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Pakistan in retrieving Senator Mushtaq from Israeli custody.

Mushtaq Ahmad Khan was arrested by Israeli forces while aboard the Global Sumud Flotilla, as confirmed on October 2. Ahmad was leading the five-member Pakistani delegation as part of the Global Sumud Flotilla.

The FO in a post on Monday had stated that through its Embassy in Jordan were "working tirelessly to secure the safe evacuation of former Senator Mushtaq Ahmad Khan," and that his return is expected "within the next few days."

Read: Mushtaq Ahmad’s safe return likely in next few days: FO

The statement had also warned that the FO had been advised "In accordance with local procedures, Ahmad will be presented before a court."

The Global Sumud Flotilla, transporting medicine and food to Gaza, consisted of more than 40 civilian boats with about 500 parliamentarians, lawyers and activists.