KARACHI: Civil society groups and religio-political parties held widespread protests across Pakistan on Thursday after Israeli forces intercepted the Global Sumud Flotilla bound for Gaza and reportedly detained former Pakistani senator Mushtaq Ahmed Khan along with hundreds of international campaigners.

Demonstrations broke out in major cities including Islamabad and Karachi, where men, women and children marched with Palestinian flags and chanted slogans against Israel. 

The flotilla, comprising more than 40 vessels carrying food and medicine, set sail in late August with around 500 activists, parliamentarians and lawyers on board. Organizers said Israeli forces intercepted them overnight Wednesday, including one carrying Swedish campaigner Greta Thunberg. Images live-streamed from the boats showed Israeli troops boarding ships as passengers huddled in life vests with their hands raised.

“Last night, Israel carried out an open act of terrorism by detaining more than 500 people from 44 countries,” Monem Zafar, Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) chief in Karachi, said at a protest march that drew thousands of people.

“Where is the International Court of Justice?” he asked.

The JI leader demanded Islamabad step up diplomatic efforts to secure the release of the former Pakistani senator and others held by Israel.

Protesters accused Israel of crimes against humanity and criticized Western governments for remaining silent.

Participants said the rally was to show solidarity with Palestinians.

“Freedom Flotilla is not only for the Muslims of the world, but for all people who have felt the [Palestinian] pain,” Sarfaraz Shaikh, a creative director with a local firm who joined the JI protest, said.

“We demand that all those arrested be released,” he said.

Iqbal Chaudhry, an engineer by profession, said the JI demonstration was not only a party protest but should be seen as a demonstration by the whole Muslim world.

“The entire Muslim Ummah is expressing solidarity with the oppressed Muslims of Gaza,” he said. “Israel has attacked the Freedom Flotilla and arrested everyone on board.”

Shaikh hoped for greater participation in Sunday’s upcoming Gaza march which the JI chief announced earlier during the day.

“The real demand is that the land of Palestine should be free,” he added.

Civil society groups also staged demonstrations outside the Karachi Press Club.

“Israel tries to attack in a very severe and dangerous way,” said Umme Malahim, a student protester, adding all countries were working to get their citizens released and Pakistan should do the same. “Our government shouldn’t sit idly.”

In Islamabad, the former senator’s wife, Humaira Tayyaba, said the family lost contact with him in the early hours of the day.

“The last contact senator Mushtaq Ahmed Khan had with us was last night, when he informed us that the main ship had been intercepted and that their ship might also face interception. At 2:45 a.m., he sent his last voice note, and since then, we have lost all contact,” she told Arab News by phone.

The wife of the ex-senator said she has petitioned the Islamabad High Court and written to the foreign office, urging the government to ensure his safe return.

“We have been categorically clear that the government of Pakistan should not engage in any secret negotiations for his release, as this goes against our mission’s objectives,” she added. “Instead, the government should raise the matter through the United Nations, the OIC or countries already maintaining relations with Israel.”

Pakistan, which does not maintain diplomatic relations with Israel, condemned the interception of the flotilla, with its foreign ministry saying the action endangered the lives of innocent civilians while urging the lifting of the blockade of Gaza, where more than 65,000 Palestinians have been killed in nearly two years of war.

Protest demonstrations against the interception were also reported in Greece, Ireland and Türkiye, while Italian unions announced a general strike for Friday in response to Israel’s actions. A demonstration was also held in Islamabad outside the National Press Club, where hundreds chanted slogans in favor of Palestinians.

JI said it would hold more demonstrations tomorrow after Friday prayers in the country. It also plans to hold a “mass march” in Karachi on Oct. 5.