Islamabad / Amman, 8 October 2025 — Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar on Tuesday announced that former Senator Mushtaq Ahmad is expected to return to Pakistan on 10 October (Thursday) after being released from Israeli detention. Dar said arrangements have been finalized and that Mushtaq is “in good health and high spirits.”

He added that the Pakistani embassy in Amman, Jordan, is coordinating his return, and that communication with Mushtaq was maintained through diplomatic channels.

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Release from Captivity & Current Status

According to Dar, Mushtaq Ahmad has been released and is now safely with the Pakistan embassy in Amman. “He is in good health and high spirits,” Dar affirmed.

In his public video message (posted after his release), Mushtaq described suffering during detention: handcuffed, blindfolded, denied access to medicine and water, and deprived of basic rights. He also stated that he, along with other activists, had undertaken a hunger strike during his confinement.

He claimed his treatment violated basic norms and vowed to share full details of his detention once he returns to Pakistan. His release and transfer to the embassy raised hopes that diplomatic efforts and international pressure had succeeded.

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The Flotilla, Detention & International Reaction

Mushtaq was among those detained when the Global Sumud Flotilla, carrying activists, politicians and aid, attempted to break Israel’s blockade of Gaza. Israeli forces intercepted the flotilla, detained participants, and later deported many. Dawn+2Arab News+2

Numerous countries and international bodies had condemned the interception, calling for the safe release and repatriation of detained participants. Pakistan’s Foreign Office, along with allied nations, reportedly engaged in diplomatic negotiations to expedite his return.

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What Happens Next & What to Watch

• Return on October 9: If all goes according to Dar’s schedule, Mushtaq should be back in Pakistan on Thursday, where he may address the press and present his account of detention.
• Medical and legal proceedings: On arrival, he may undergo health checks and may also engage with legal counsel to document possible mistreatment.
• Political impact: His return is likely to be politically charged. As a known figure in Jamaat-e-Islami, his detention and repatriation may be used politically by various parties.
• Diplomatic precedents: The success (or challenges) in Mushtaq’s release could affect how Pakistan navigates similar cases in the future involving its citizens detained abroad under controversial circumstances.
• Narrative framing: How the government, media, and Mushtaq himself frame his detention (as human rights violation, political act, or international protest) will matter for public sentiment.