Pakistan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated it has no connection to the case of Shabir Ahmed, a British national convicted of serious sexual offenses, and that his treatment falls under UK law. The UK seeks to deport Ahmed, who has dual citizenship, but faces legal hurdles related to his pre-1973 arrival in the UK.
This case highlights the complexities of international cooperation in deporting foreign nationals convicted of serious crimes, particularly when dual citizenship and historical immigration laws are involved. It underscores the challenges faced by governments in ensuring public safety while adhering to legal frameworks.
Pakistan is resisting the UK's efforts to deport Shabir Ahmed, the ringleader of a Rochdale grooming gang convicted of serious sexual offenses against girls as young as 12. Tahir Andrabi, a spokesperson for Pakistan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, stated that Ahmed is a British national who committed his crimes in the UK and that Pakistan has no connection to the matter. Andrabi emphasized that any decisions regarding Ahmed's release or legal status fall exclusively within the jurisdiction of British authorities and must be handled according to UK law.
Ahmed, who arrived in the UK in the late 1960s, has dual British-Pakistani citizenship. His deportation is complicated by provisions in the Immigration Act 1971, which bar the removal of Commonwealth citizens who arrived before 1973 and have resided in the UK for five years. The UK government is considering amendments to this act to prevent foreign criminals guilty of serious offenses from using these protections as a bar to removal.
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood has stated that the 1971 Act should not prevent the removal of individuals like Ahmed. Following his release from prison, Ahmed has been placed in 24-hour supervised accommodation and fitted with a GPS-monitored electronic tag. The Home Office has indicated that his removal is contingent on Pakistan accepting him. Some victims have expressed fear and a lack of safety following his release, while politicians like Andy Burnham have called for his deportation.
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