Pakistan resists UK attempts to deport grooming gang leader Shabir Ahmed
Pakistan has rejected UK government efforts to deport Shabir Ahmed, a convicted grooming gang leader who lost his British citizenship. Pakistan maintains that the matter is an internal UK legal issue and that they have no responsibility for the individual.
Why it matters
This case highlights the complexities of international deportation laws and the challenges of managing individuals who have lost citizenship but remain in the country of their conviction.
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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