The United Kingdom government is exploring all available options to deport a leader of the Rochdale grooming gang, a process complicated by the man's dual British and Pakistani citizenship and Pakistan's past reluctance to accept deportations.
Ahmed, who arrived in the UK in the late 1960s, held both nationalities at the time of his conviction. His British citizenship was revoked by the courts after he was sentenced, with deportation expected to follow the completion of his prison term. However, victims of the gang were recently informed that provisions under the Immigration Act 1971 may prevent the removal of Commonwealth citizens who arrived in the UK before 1973 and had resided there for at least five years.
The UK government is considering amending the Immigration and Asylum Bill currently before Parliament to address this legislative hurdle. Successful passage of such an amendment would still leave the government facing a significant diplomatic challenge in securing Pakistan's agreement to accept Ahmed's deportation. This cooperation has been difficult to obtain in similar past cases, with Pakistan having previously refused to repatriate two other members of the same nine-man Rochdale grooming gang, Qari Abdul Rauf and Adil Khan, despite their British citizenship being revoked in 2018.
Conservative shadow home secretary Chris Philp suggested that foreign aid to Pakistan could be a point of leverage if the country remains uncooperative. He stated that just as the UK expects other nations to accept their citizens, they should reciprocate when the circumstances are reversed.
Ahmed was sentenced to 22 years in 2012 for his role in the Rochdale grooming gang. An estimated 50 girls were identified as potential victims, many from disadvantaged backgrounds. The court noted that the victims were treated as "worthless and beyond any respect" due to not belonging to the perpetrators' community or religion. Police investigations at the time indicated no racial or cultural motive for the crimes. Subsequent reviews found significant failures by police and local authorities in responding to concerns raised about the gang's activities.