Call to suspend financial aid to Pakistan and visas for Pakistani nationals

Demand by opposition parties in Britain after Pakistan refuses to take back notorious criminal Shabbir Ahmed of Pakistani origin

London (Britain) – Opposition parties in Britain have demanded that the Government suspend the £153 million (approximately ₹1,963.70 crore) financial assistance approved for Pakistan over three years, as well as the issuance of visas to Pakistani nationals. The demand follows Pakistan’s refusal to accept the return of notorious Pakistani-origin criminal Shabbir Ahmed, who was convicted of sexually exploiting children.

Shabbir Ahmed, who was born in Pakistan, was a leading member of the Rochdale grooming gang, which lured and sexually exploited young girls. He was convicted in 30 cases of raping minor girls. After serving 14 years of his 22-year prison sentence, he was released earlier this month. Britain revoked his citizenship in 2016; however, owing to legal protections available under the Immigration Act 1971, the Government was unable to deport him. Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood has stated that the law will be amended in such extremely serious cases.

UK Opposition calls for suspending financial aid to Pakistan and halting visas for Pakistani nationals after Islamabad refused to repatriate convicted child sex offender Shabbir Ahmed.

Ahmed, a key member of the Rochdale #groominggang, was convicted in 30 rape-related offences… pic.twitter.com/o2CJv5MDV7

— Sanatan Prabhat (@SanatanPrabhat) July 21, 2026

Pakistan refuses to take responsibility

Pakistan has made it clear that Ahmed relinquished his Pakistani citizenship decades ago and that responsibility for him rests with Britain, where he was raised and committed his crimes. (Anyone would now feel that Britain should either sentence such a criminal to death or imprison him for life! – Editor)

Editorial Perspective

• Pakistanis are now increasingly being identified worldwide with criminality and terrorism. The world should now declare Pakistan a ‘terrorist nation’ and impose a complete boycott on it. India, too, should take the lead in this regard.
• Britain played a major role in the Partition of India and the creation of Pakistan. If Pakistanis have now become a burden on Britain, it can only be regarded as the consequence of its own actions.