British home secretary faces heavy criticism over attempt to deport grooming gang leader to Pakistan

British Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood is facing sharp backlash over the government’s attempt to forcibly deport Shabbir Ahmed, a convicted child sex offender and leader of a grooming gang, to Pakistan. The controversy has sparked a diplomatic row between the United Kingdom and Pakistan, with the British government threatening sanctions against Pakistan if it refuses to accept Ahmed.

Ahmed, who was convicted of child sexual exploitation in 2012, was recently released from prison. However, attempts to remove him face significant legal hurdles under the Immigration Act 1971. Under this legislation, Commonwealth citizens who moved to the UK before 1973 and have resided there for at least five years are protected from deportation. Having arrived in the UK during the late 1960s, Ahmed remains shielded by these statutory protections.

Members of the British Pakistani community have expressed strong opposition to Mahmood’s approach, alleging that the Home Office is pushing the measure to appease far-right political factions