Activists, politicians raise concern over silence on Pakistani delegation’s arrest by Israel from Global Sumud Flotilla

As Israel brazenly violated international maritime law by attacking dozens of ships and abducting activists from 37 countries who set sail to Gaza to deliver aid to starving Palestinians in the besieged enclave, condemnation poured in from across the world, with leaders demanding the safety of their citizens.

The President of Colombia expelled the Israeli ambassador and explicitly asked for the safety of the two Colombian citizens. The Brazilian foreign minister said that Israel would be held responsible if the 15 Brazilian activists faced any harm after their abduction.

Spain summoned the Israeli ambassador to lodge its protest over the flotilla attacks.

“All necessary steps are being taken to secure the immediate release of our citizens and other passengers detained by Israeli forces,” the Turkish Foreign Ministry said in its condemnation of the Israeli assault.

“I urge the immediate release of all Malaysian and international activists and volunteers,” Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said Thursday on X.

Pakistan also condemned the assault in strong terms, with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif saying, “We hope and pray for the safety of all those who have been illegally apprehended by Israeli forces and call for their immediate release.”

The Global Sumud Flotilla, said that 40 boats were seized by Israel. Only 12 were able to continue their journey toward Gaza with Israeli military vessels trailing them at a distance.

Meanwhile, the flotilla’s ship Mikeno successfully sailed into Palestinian waters and became the nearest vessel to Gaza. Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar described Israel’s actions as “barbarity,” further adding that the detention of activists was a “flagrant violation of international law.”

The Foreign Ministry also issued an official statement denouncing the Israeli assault, condemning Israel as an occupying power, and demanding the “immediate release” of all activists detained aboard the flotilla.

What was conspicuously absent from these statements, however, was any reference to the Pakistani delegation led by former Jamaat-e-Islami senator Mushtaq Ahmed, who was abducted by Israeli forces after his vessel was intercepted.

While governments around the world explicitly demanded the safety of their citizens, Pakistani authorities, and even Jamaat-e-Islami itself, failed to raise the issue of ex-senator Mushtaq Ahmed and the six other Pakistanis who were aboard the flotilla.

The advocacy group Pak Palestine Forum shared an update regarding the Pakistani delegation:

“Only one ship has managed to escape, i.e., the observer boat, whose duty was to collect information and escape. Our second delegate Syed Uzair Nizami was sailing on the observer boat and shared the information regarding the interception of Senator Mushtaq Ahmed Khan’s ship,” the group said.

Former JI senator was repeatedly arrested by Islamabad police during his protests for Palestine. An officer even told him to “go to Gaza.” The senator did indeed reach Gaza, but the government’s silence on his arrest led many to question its stance.

Former minister Fawad Chaudhry criticised, saying, “Any other ruler would have made special mention of his citizens, but Pakistan’s own citizens have no status in the eyes of the current rulers, so mentioning them is unnecessary.”

Similarly, Shireen Mazari asked in a post on X: “Why is our government silent on this brave man’s efforts to get humanitarian aid to Gaza? @ForeignOfficePk, why has no statement been issued condemning this action against our citizen?”