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Ahmed, who arrived in the UK during the late 1960s, was one of nine men from the Rochdale and Oldham areas convicted of exploiting girls as young as 13 at two takeaway restaurants. His crimes have sparked discussions regarding the appropriate response and the jurisdiction over his case.
Andrabi emphasized that the focus should be on serious reflection over Ahmed’s actions rather than seeking external explanations. He stated, “The matter in question is entirely an internal matter of the United Kingdom,” pointing out that Ahmed is a British national who has spent his entire adulthood in the UK and was rightfully convicted by a British court for offenses committed on British soil. He further explained that any decisions about Ahmed’s release or legal supervision fall strictly under the authority of UK institutions and must adhere to British law. Andrabi added, “Regardless of where he was born, the onus lies on where he grew up, was raised, groomed, and unfortunately spoiled,” and stressed that Pakistan has no involvement in Ahmed’s situation, saying, “We cannot be associated with any decisions relating to the individual’s release or subsequent treatment under the British law.”
Ahmed was sentenced to 22 years in prison and was released on licence recently. Victims were informed that under the Immigration Act 1971, Commonwealth citizens who arrived in the UK before 1973 and had lived there for five years could not be removed. However, the UK government is considering an amendment that would allow for the deportation of foreign criminals convicted of certain serious offenses, aligning deportation laws with citizenship removal regulations. Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood mentioned that while the 1971 Act offers protections for long-term residents, it “should not be used as a bar against removal in cases like that of Shabir Ahmed.”
Following his release, Ahmed was placed in accommodation staffed 24 hours a day and was fitted with a GPS electronic monitoring tag. The government has stated that any breach of his strict licence conditions would result in his return to prison. Despite these measures, some victims have expressed feelings of fear and insecurity. Meanwhile, Andy Burnham, who is expected to succeed Keir Starmer as prime minister, described Ahmed as a “vile criminal” and has called for his deportation
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