The United Kingdom is considering imposing visa restrictions on Pakistan as part of efforts to secure the deportation of Shabir Ahmed, the former leader of the Rochdale grooming gang. Ahmed, 73, was released from prison on July 2 after serving 14 years of a 22-year sentence for more than 30 child rape offences to which he was convicted in 2012.

Ahmed, known to his victims as “Daddy,” is currently residing in the UK, but authorities are seeking ways to return him to Pakistan. Diplomatic discussions between the UK and Pakistan are ongoing, with British officials exploring several measures to facilitate Ahmed’s removal. Among the options under consideration are tightening visa issuance for Pakistani nationals and withholding up to £50 million in foreign aid to pressure the Pakistani government.

Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood is also examining legal barriers that have complicated the deportation process. Ahmed’s case highlights a loophole affecting Commonwealth citizens who arrived in the UK before 1971; under current laws, such individuals often cannot be deported, posing a challenge for removal efforts in cases involving serious criminal convictions.

Alternatively, UK officials have discussed the possibility of offering additional financial assistance to Pakistan to incentivize Ahmed’s deportation. A government spokesperson confirmed that talks with Pakistan are ongoing and emphasized a commitment to “doing everything possible to deport foreign national offenders.”

The issue has drawn political attention, with Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp underscoring the UK’s expectation for reciprocal action from other countries. Philp stated that just as Britain takes back its citizens who commit criminal offences, it expects other nations to accept responsibility for their nationals convicted abroad.

The situation comes amid broader debates in the UK on how to manage foreign national offenders and balance immigration control with diplomatic relations. The government appears intent on closing existing legal gaps to prevent similar cases from hindering deportation efforts in the future.