Pakistan has rejected calls from the UK to accept the return of convicted child sex offender Shabir Ahmed. The government said responsibility for Ahmed lies with Britain, where he spent most of his life and committed his crimes.
The issue comes as the UK government continues efforts to deport Ahmed after his release from prison earlier this month. He had served 14 years of a 22-year sentence for multiple child rape convictions linked to the Rochdale grooming gang.
Shabir Ahmed, also known as “Daddy,” was convicted by a British court for leading one of the country’s most notorious child sexual exploitation networks. His crimes involved the abuse of young girls over several years.
In an official statement, Foreign Office spokesperson Tahir Andrabi said Ahmed’s case is entirely a matter for British authorities. He stressed that Pakistan has no responsibility for decisions related to his legal status or supervision.
According to Andrabi, Ahmed is a British national who spent his entire adult life in the UK. He said the crimes were committed on British soil and were prosecuted under British law.
The spokesperson added that any decisions regarding Ahmed’s release, monitoring, or future legal position remain solely within the jurisdiction of the United Kingdom. Pakistan, he said, cannot be linked to the handling of the case.
Andrabi also made one of Pakistan’s strongest public statements on the issue. He said responsibility rests with the country where Ahmed was raised and lived throughout his adult life. He urged British authorities to examine the factors behind the crimes instead of looking for outside causes.
Pakistan further stated that it has “no connection whatsoever” with the criminal case. Officials emphasized that the country should not be associated with decisions taken under British law.
The latest developments follow an announcement by UK Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood. She recently revealed plans to amend an old immigration law that currently prevents Ahmed’s deportation, even after he was stripped of his British citizenship.
British authorities maintain that Ahmed remains eligible for deportation to Pakistan. They also reject claims that he legally renounced his Pakistani citizenship before the legal proceedings.
Ahmed, now 73 years old, was found guilty of leading one of Britain’s most serious child exploitation gangs. Court proceedings revealed that girls as young as 12 were abused over a long period. Prosecutors described one victim as being treated as a possession for Ahmed’s personal gratification.
The dispute has also affected diplomatic relations between Pakistan and the UK. British officials have warned that visa restrictions could be considered if Pakistan refuses to accept Ahmed’s return.
Reports indicate that discussions between London and Islamabad have continued for about a year. The negotiations also involve two other convicted Rochdale grooming gang members who are facing similar deportation proceedings.
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Despite the ongoing diplomatic discussions, Pakistan has maintained that responsibility for Ahmed remains with the UK, where he lived, committed the offenses, and was convicted by the courts.
