Pakistan pursues return of citizens held after Gaza flotilla raid: FO

Pakistan is engaging international partners to secure the safety and repatriation of its citizens detained by Israeli authorities after the interception of a Gaza-bound aid flotilla, the Foreign Office (FO) said on Sunday. The ministry confirmed that former senator Mushtaq Ahmed Khan is in Israeli custody and in good health, and that he will be presented before a court before deportation and repatriation procedures are initiated.

The FO said the ex-lawmaker was leading a five-member Pakistani delegation that joined the Global Sumud Flotilla. Israeli forces intercepted more than 40 vessels carrying activists and aid about 42.5 nautical miles from Gaza on October 2, detaining over 450 people aboard, according to the account shared.

Islamabad noted it had earlier coordinated the safe return of participants who disembarked before the interception and thanked partner countries for assistance. The ministry reiterated the government’s commitment to protecting citizens abroad and said it anticipates concluding repatriation measures in the coming days.

Separately, international reports cited deportations of activists to Turkey and allegations from some participants of mistreatment in detention. Italian officials said dozens of their nationals were expelled, while legal aid group Adalah alleged that some detainees faced restrictions on access to lawyers and were forced to kneel for hours with their hands zip-tied.

The FO’s statement came as mediators prepared to meet in Cairo for talks aimed at ending the war in Gaza, following indications that a roadmap proposed by the United States had received a positive response from one party to the conflict.