Political parties across the United Kingdom are pressing the ruling Labour Party to suspend all foreign aid to Pakistan and impose visa sanctions until Islamabad agrees to accept the return of Shabir Ahmed, the convicted ringleader of the Rochdale grooming gang, who was recently released after serving 14 years of a 22-year sentence for 30 child rape offences. The demand has intensified following reports that the UK government has signed a three-year, £153 million foreign aid package with Pakistan — even as Islamabad refuses to accept Ahmed's deportation.

Background: Who Is Shabir Ahmed

Shabir Ahmed, described as the ringleader of the Rochdale grooming gang, was born in Pakistan and convicted in the UK of 30 child rape offences. He was released from prison recently having served 14 of his 22 years. The UK government has been attempting to deport him to his country of birth, but Pakistan has refused to take him back, according to reports in The Telegraph.

What the Opposition Is Saying

Richard Tice, deputy leader of the Reform Party, posted on X: 'Pakistan. No foreign aid. No visas. Until you take back rapist Ahmed.' Zia Yusuf, the Reform Party's home affairs spokesperson, said: 'The fact Labour plans to continue to send them aid is proof the political class do not care about the British people. Reform will stop foreign aid and visas issued to Pakistan immediately.'

Priti Patel, the Shadow Foreign Secretary, was sharply critical of the timing of the aid announcement. 'The fact Labour have approved £153m aid for Pakistan when they are refusing to take back Shabir Ahmed tells you all you need to know,' she said, adding: 'No surprise that Labour slipped this out on the last day of this session of Parliament, so nobody can hold them to account.'

Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp went further, calling for a complete freeze on aid and new visas for Pakistani nationals. 'Vile paedophile child rapists who came here from Pakistan should all be deported back,' Philp said. 'We should stop all overseas aid and issuance of new visas for Pakistani citizens until they take Ahmed and those like him back.'

Government's Position

Last week, Yvette Cooper, the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, signalled that the government is prepared to deploy sanctions if Pakistan continues to refuse. Cooper told the Commons Foreign Affairs Committee that the UK would consider using 'all possible levers' and noted that similar pressure had previously succeeded in persuading other nations to accept the return of foreign criminals.

What Happens Next

The cross-party pressure places the Labour government in a politically difficult position — defending a £153 million aid commitment to a country that is actively blocking the deportation of a convicted child rapist. With Parliament entering recess, opposition parties are expected to keep the pressure on through public statements and formal motions when the House returns. The outcome of the UK's diplomatic push on Islamabad will be closely watched as a test of how far the government is willing to go in using economic leverage to enforce criminal deportations.