The UK government faces mounting anger after Pakistan refused to accept the return of convicted child rapist Shabir Ahmed, sparking calls to end £114 million in annual aid and suspend visas for Pakistani nationals. Whistleblower Maggie Oliver criticized Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood's plan to close an immigration loophole as a "knee-jerk reaction after the horse has bolted," revealing that a grooming gang survivor, referred to as 'Ruby,' required emergency protection after Ahmed's release.
Background of the case
Shabir Ahmed, 73, was released from prison last week after serving 14 years of a 22-year sentence for 30 child rape offences. He is currently protected by the Immigration Act 1971, which exempts Commonwealth citizens who arrived in Britain before 1973 from removal. Mahmood has vowed to change the law to enable Ahmed's deportation, but Pakistan is refusing to take him back, demanding instead the extradition of two political dissidents: Shahzad Akbar, a former cabinet member under Imran Khan, and Adil Raja, a Pakistani journalist and former military officer, on charges of alleged "fake news" and anti-state propaganda.
Victim impact and whistleblower reaction
Ms Oliver told the Daily Express: "They've had 14 years to negotiate this and finalise it. And we could have prevented survivors and victims like Ruby, who was terrified out of her wits… I had to liaise with Greater Manchester Police to get emergency protection put in place for her so that she feels safer… All of that trauma could have been avoided." She added: "Once again, this shows that the Government is reactive and not proactive. They've had 14 years since Shabir Ahmed was sent to prison to sort this out. And because there's so much anger in the country, and because victims have been so vocal, there's been a knee-jerk reaction after the horse has bolted. We still don't know if Pakistan is going to take him back."
Political fallout and calls for action
Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp said: "Last year, the Government gave Pakistan almost 150,000 visas. Now Pakistan is refusing to take one single criminal back. This is total weakness from Labour and a humiliation. Ministers must show some backbone and ensure Shabir Ahmed is removed from our country. Vile rapists and paedophiles who come here from overseas should all be deported. It's simple: no visas and no aid until Pakistan takes back all their citizens here illegally or who are criminals."
Tory leader Kemi Badenoch added: "No rapist, paedophile or grooming gang member should be let out of prison early. That's just common sense. But under Labour's Sentencing Act, serious sexual offenders will now be released much earlier than their court sentences. Victims of violent and sexual crimes must always come first. But instead, survivors of grooming gangs abuse are being told that those responsible will be getting out of jail early. That is just wrong. Conservatives have tried to stop it, Labour and the Liberal Democrats voted against us. Every MP has a choice, stand with victims or stand with the early release of dangerous sexual offenders."
Reform UK and wider criticism
Reform UK home affairs spokesman Zia Yusuf said: "Mahmood's attempt to deport the Rochdale rapist from our streets is weak. Pakistan is refusing to take back Shabir Ahmed - the monster convicted of 30 counts of child rape - despite the fact he is a Pakistani national. Over the last two decades, the Tory-Labour uniparty has handed Pakistan £6 billion of taxpayers' money in real terms and issued around 2 million visas to Pakistani nationals. Enough. All visas for Pakistani nationals and all foreign aid to their country must be suspended immediately until Pakistan agrees to take this vile grooming gang leader off our streets."
British taxpayers gave Pakistan £114 million in 2024. The diplomatic stalemate has left Ahmed's victims in fear, and he was reportedly whisked from HMP Leeds to a taxpayer-funded bail hostel. Calls are growing for the UK to halt aid and visas until Pakistan accepts all its criminals and failed asylum seekers.
