Pakistan has blamed the United Kingdom for pushing the ringleader of the Rochdale grooming gang towards criminal behaviour, insisting that dealing with Shabir Ahmed rests entirely with British authorities. The South Asian country's Foreign Office spokesman, Tahir Andrabi, stated that regardless of where Ahmed was born, the onus lies on the country where he grew up, was raised, groomed, and spoiled.
Ahmed, 73, known to his victims as “Daddy”, was released on licence on July 2 after serving 14 years in jail since his conviction in 2012 for multiple rape and sexual offences against young girls. He is subject to a string of licence conditions, including staying at approved accommodation staffed 24 hours a day. The UK wants to deport Ahmed back to Pakistan, but current law forbids the removal of a small group of Commonwealth citizens who arrived in the UK more than 50 years ago.
Pakistan’s Stance on the Matter
Mr Andrabi, speaking to the media on Thursday (July 16), said Pakistan condemns child sexual abuse in the strongest terms and the perpetrators of such heinous crimes must be punished to the fullest extent of the law. He added that the matter in question is entirely an internal matter of the United Kingdom. The individual concerned is a British national who spent his entire adult life in the UK and was duly convicted by a British court for reprehensible offences committed on British soil.
He further stated that any decision regarding his release, supervision, or future legal status falls exclusively within the jurisdiction of the competent British authorities and must be dealt with in accordance with the laws of the United Kingdom. The Foreign Office spokesman concluded by saying the Pakistani government has no connection with the matter and cannot be associated with any decisions relating to Ahmed's release or treatment.
UK Government’s Response
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood said on Monday she would change the Immigration and Asylum Bill, which is passing through the Commons, to remove immunity under the 1971 Immigration Act, which would prevent Ahmed being deported. She admitted in the Commons that despite the potential law change, she would be unable to deport him unless Pakistan agrees to do so. The UK Government indicated previously that Pakistan could be threatened with visa restrictions unless it takes Ahmed.
Downing Street has acknowledged that changing the law is only the first step in deporting the grooming gang leader. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer's spokesman said: "The country of origin must agree to take these vile criminals back and that’s why we’re working across government to explore every option in this case." Asked if that included the possibility of refusing to issue visas, the spokesman said: "I think we’ve been clear that all options remain on the table where countries don’t co-operate on the return of their nationals."
Extradition Demands and Political Tensions
Pakistan is demanding the extradition of two political dissidents from the UK to accept Britain's request for Islamabad to take Ahmed back. This development adds a layer of complexity to the already tense diplomatic negotiations. The UK government has stressed that it is exploring every avenue to ensure that Ahmed, who has been described as a dangerous offender, is deported to Pakistan upon his release.
The case has reignited public anger over the Rochdale grooming gang scandal, which saw a network of men, primarily of Pakistani heritage, convicted of sexually exploiting vulnerable young girls. Ahmed was the ringleader of the gang, which operated in Rochdale, Greater Manchester, between 2005 and 2010. His release on licence has sparked widespread outrage, with victims and campaigners calling for him to be kept behind bars or deported.
