PM Shehbaz demands safe return of Pakistanis on Gaza Sumud flotilla

After facing backlash for omitting mention of Pakistani citizens in his condemnation of Israel’s interception of the Gaza Sumud flotilla vessels, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday demanded the return of Pakistanis held by Israeli forces, while also praising Senator Mushtaq Ahmad Khan and others.

“I commend the dignified participation of Pakistani citizens in the ‘Gaza Freedom Flotilla’. Mushtaq Ahmad Khan, Mazhar Saeed Shah, Wajahat Ahmad, Dr Osama Riaz, Ismail Khan, Syed Aziz Nizami, and Fahad Ishtiaq, among other Pakistanis, took part in this great humanitarian mission in full accordance with the principles of human compassion,” PM Shehbaz wrote on his X account.

The premier said this initiative represents the peace-loving aspirations of the Pakistani people, their struggle for justice, and their spirit of helping those in need.

Flagrant violation of international law: Pakistan condemns interception of Global Sumud Flotilla

“The government of Pakistan supports the principles of respect for human life, safe access, and uninterrupted aid, and strongly demands the return of its citizens, praying and striving for their safety, dignity, and earliest possible return to the homeland,” he maintained.

The statement comes hours after the prime minister condemned the “cowardly attack” by Israeli forces on the ‘Sumud Gaza Flotilla’.

“More than 450 aid workers from 44 countries were aboard this flotilla, who have been illegally detained by Israeli forces. The only ‘crime’ of these selfless workers was that they were carrying aid for the helpless and oppressed Palestinian people,” he tweeted.

Moreover, he said, Pakistan demands the immediate and unconditional release of all these workers and the uninterrupted delivery of aid to the Palestinians. “Immediately stopping Israeli barbarism and ensuring the establishment of lasting peace in Palestine is the greatest demand of our time,” Shehbaz added.

On Wednesday, Israeli naval forces intercepted Global Sumud Flotilla – involving around 45 vessels carrying politicians and activists including Swedish climate campaigner Greta Thunberg – left Spain last month, aiming to break Israel’s blockade of the Palestinian territory, where the UN says famine has set in.

“Around 8:30 pm Gaza time (1730 GMT), several vessels of the Global Sumud Flotilla, including the Alma, Sirius and Adara, were illegally intercepted and boarded by Israeli occupation forces in international waters,” the flotilla said.

“Beyond the confirmed interceptions, live streams and communications with several other vessels have been lost,” the statement added.

Pakistan on Thursday strongly condemned the interception of the Global Sumud Flotilla and said that it was another “flagrant violation of international law and international humanitarian law by Israel”.

Scores of Pakistani politicians also condemned the Israeli forces’ interception of aid flotilla.

Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader Khawaja Saad Rafique said, the raid by the occupying Israeli forces on the human rights activists on the Global Samood flotilla and their arrests is another cowardly and shameful war crime.

“These unarmed but brave people had come out to provide humanitarian aid to the severely injured and needy Palestinians who were besieged and starving.

“Israel has violated all the norms of humanity and society under American patronage.”

Saad requested people to raise their voices at all levels for the release of all those arrested, including the brave former Pakistani senator Mushtaq Ahmed Khan.

“It is strongly hoped that the Pakistani government will take immediate and necessary steps for the release of the detainees.”