Pakistan resisting UK attempts to deport grooming gang leader
The UK government is seeking to deport Shabir Ahmed, a convicted grooming gang leader, but faces resistance from Pakistan, which maintains the matter is an internal British legal issue. Current UK legislation from 1971 protects long-term residents from deportation, prompting the government to propose legal amendments to allow for the removal of serious foreign criminals.
Why it matters
This case highlights the tension between historical immigration protections and modern political pressure to deport foreign-born criminals, setting a potential precedent for future legislative changes regarding citizenship and deportation rights.
Image source, GMP Image caption, Shabir Ahmed was the head of a gang which abused girls as young as 12
Pakistan is resisting attempts by the UK government to deport a freed ringleader of a Rochdale grooming gang.
Tahir Andrabi, a spokesman for Pakistan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, told the BBC that Shabir Ahmed must be dealt with in accordance with UK laws and the government of Pakistan has "no connection whatsoever with this matter".
Calls have mounted for Ahmed's deportation but legislation from 1971 bars it. Ahmed's removal depends on Pakistan accepting him despite the UK government proposing to change the law .
Ahmed had dual British-Pakistani citizenship before being stripped of his UK passport following his 2012 conviction for multiple counts of rape and sexual offences against girls.
UK in talks with Pakistan about deporting grooming gang leader
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