The United Kingdom has committed £153 million in foreign aid to Pakistan over the next three years. This funding package was approved by the UK government despite Pakistan's refusal to repatriate Shabir Ahmed, a convicted grooming gang leader who was released from a UK prison last month.
Ahmed served 14 years for child sex offenses, including rape, committed in Rochdale. Following his release, Pakistan's foreign ministry stated that the country has no connection to the case and that Ahmed's status is an internal matter for the United Kingdom.
Downing Street has indicated that it is pursuing all available avenues to deport Ahmed. However, political factions within the UK, including the Conservative Party and the advocacy group Reform, have called for a halt to aid to Pakistan until it agrees to accept the return of Ahmed and other convicted nationals.
The aid package and the ongoing dispute over Ahmed's deportation have become a subject of public debate, prompting a poll by the Daily Mail to gauge public opinion on the matter.