Another day, another insult to British taxpayers. The government has signed off on £153 million in aid to Pakistan over three years. At the same time, the ringleader of the Rochdale grooming gang sits in taxpayer-funded accommodation here because Pakistan won't take him back.
Shabir Ahmed got convicted of dozens of child rape offences. He served just 14 years of a 22-year sentence and walked out on licence in July. Now officials admit deportation is stalled. Why? An old law from 1971 that somehow still shields him. The Home Office talks about changing it. Talk is cheap.
Pakistan's line is simple. This is Britain's problem, they say. Their foreign ministry spokesman Tahir Andrabi put it bluntly: "The matter in question is entirely an internal matter of the United Kingdom. Any decision regarding his release and subsequent arrangements falls exclusively within the jurisdiction of the competent British authorities. The government of Pakistan has no connection whatsoever with this matter."
Funny how that works. When they want political dissidents handed over, suddenly cooperation becomes possible. Reports from The Times of India revealed Pakistan has linked Ahmed's return to the extradition of UK-based activists they want silenced. A senior Pakistani official even told The Telegraph that Britain should respect their issues instead of "arm-twisting". The hypocrisy stinks.
Victims first, not foreign aid
Think about the girls Ahmed and his gang preyed on. Some were barely teenagers. Their lives were wrecked while authorities looked the other way for years. Those families watch this circus and wonder whose side the state is on. Not theirs, clearly.
Richard Tice has had enough. The Reform UK deputy leader demanded suspension of foreign aid and visas until Pakistan accepts Ahmed. Conservative shadow home secretary Chris Philp went further, calling for all aid to stop and new visas to halt until Pakistan takes back Ahmed and the other convicted grooming gang offenders.
