Pakistan Refuses to Claim Rochdale Grooming Gang Ringleader, Blocking UK Deportation

Pakistan has disclaimed any connection to Shabir Ahmed, the Rochdale grooming gang ringleader released on licence in July 2026 after serving part of a 22-year sentence. Islamabad calls the 73-year-old a British national and says the matter is "entirely an internal matter of the United Kingdom." The Home Office acknowledges his removal depends on Pakistan accepting him.