During a meeting at the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office in London on Thursday, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar informed UK Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband that Pakistan cannot repatriate Shabir Ahmed, a convicted ringleader of the Rochdale grooming gang. Dar emphasized that no existing law or bilateral agreement between Pakistan and the UK permits the transfer of child sex offenders like Ahmed.
Ahmed, aged 73, was released last month after serving 14 years of a 22-year sentence for 30 child rape offenses. While Pakistan expressed willingness to consider the UK’s request, officials indicated that any agreement would likely require the UK to hand over Pakistani dissidents residing in Britain—a condition the UK is unlikely to accept.
Pakistani representatives made it clear that there is currently no legislation or formal mechanism enabling Ahmed’s return. The UK Home Secretary, Shabana Mahmood, has announced plans to amend immigration laws dating back 50 years to close loopholes that previously prevented Ahmed’s deportation, despite his loss of British citizenship. However, Pakistan maintains that Ahmed renounced his Pakistani citizenship and has spent nearly his entire life in the UK, making Britain responsible for him.
In a significant development, Miliband personally raised Ahmed’s case with Dar, stressing the importance of removing the convicted child rapist from the UK and expressing the government’s concerns about his continued presence. Pakistani officials acknowledged these concerns and the sensitive political context but reiterated that no legal framework exists for Pakistan to accept Ahmed under current arrangements.
Sources familiar with the discussions noted that Pakistan has historically cooperated closely with the UK on immigration, deportation, and criminal matters. Yet, Ahmed’s case is unique due to his status as a registered sex offender, and no extradition treaty covers such convicts between the two nations.
Despite Miliband’s persistence in seeking a resolution, Pakistan requested the UK to understand its position and concerns. Although Dar did not specify these concerns, Pakistan has previously suggested that any agreement might require the UK to repatriate Pakistani dissidents living there. The official statement following the talks did not mention Ahmed’s case but highlighted an agreement to establish a structured mechanism for formal bilateral talks to enhance cooperation across various areas.
Pakistan has also warned it might halt cooperation on returning illegal migrants if pressured to accept Ahmed. Pakistani officials are reportedly upset by UK government hints at potential sanctions, including visa restrictions and aid suspensions, should Pakistan continue to refuse Ahmed’s repatriation.
