Pakistan has threatened to stop accepting illegal migrants from Britain amid a dispute over the deportation of convicted child rapist Shabir Ahmed, as UK politicians demand visa sanctions and suspension of foreign aid until Islamabad agrees to take him back.
Pakistan has reportedly threatened to stop accepting illegal migrants from the United Kingdom if British authorities attempt to force Islamabad to take back convicted child rapist Shabir Ahmed, escalating tensions between the two countries over the deportation of foreign offenders.
According to a report by The Telegraph, Pakistani officials are unhappy with suggestions that the UK government could introduce sanctions against Pakistan if it continues to refuse to accept Ahmed. Possible measures reportedly include restrictions on visas for Pakistani nationals travelling to Britain and withholding foreign aid.
Ahmed, who was born in Pakistan, was recently released from prison after serving 14 years of a 22-year sentence for 30 child rape offences. His case has become a major political issue in Britain, particularly amid renewed calls for tougher action against foreign criminals and illegal immigration.
The controversy comes as Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham seeks to increase the deportation of foreign offenders. The move is linked to efforts to create additional capacity in overcrowded British prisons and reduce the need for the early release of other criminals. According to The Telegraph, 306 Pakistani nationals were being held in UK prisons as of June 30.
Following his release, Ahmed is reportedly being accommodated at public expense. The UK Ministry of Defence is spending thousands of pounds on his accommodation while he remains electronically tagged. He has also been geographically excluded from Oldham and Rochdale, areas where he lived and committed most of his offences.
The dispute has triggered strong reactions from political parties and politicians in the UK. Last month, calls were made for Britain to suspend foreign aid to Pakistan and introduce visa sanctions until Islamabad agrees to take Ahmed back.
Richard Tice, Deputy Leader of the Reform Party, called for an immediate halt to foreign aid and visas for Pakistan until the country accepts Ahmed. “Pakistan. No foreign aid. No visas. Until you take back rapist Ahmed,” he wrote on X.
Zia Yusuf, the Reform Party’s home affairs spokesperson, also criticised the Labour government’s approach. He argued that continuing financial assistance to Pakistan while Islamabad refuses to accept Ahmed demonstrates what he described as a failure by the political establishment to prioritise British public concerns.
The issue has also drawn criticism from Conservative politician and former Home Secretary Priti Patel. She highlighted that the UK government has approved a three-year foreign aid package worth £153 million for Pakistan despite the ongoing dispute over Ahmed’s deportation.
Patel questioned the timing of the announcement and criticised the Labour government for approving the aid package while Pakistan continues to reject responsibility for taking Ahmed back.
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The dispute now places the UK and Pakistan under growing diplomatic pressure. Britain is seeking to increase the removal of foreign offenders, while Pakistan’s reported threat to stop accepting illegal migrants could complicate the UK’s broader deportation strategy.
The case is therefore likely to remain a significant issue in Britain’s ongoing debate over immigration, foreign criminals, prison capacity, visa policy and overseas aid.
