Pakistan blames UK for Rochdale grooming gang leader's crimes and say they are refusing to take him back after he was 'spoiled' in Britain

By JON BRADY, SENIOR NEWS REPORTER Published: 11:12, 17 July 2026 | Updated: 11:19, 17 July 2026 Pakistan has blamed the United Kingdom for the crimes of grooming gang boss Shabir Ahmed - as the country doubled down on its refusal to take him back. Ahmed, 73, was the ringleader of a band of rapists which terrorised young girls in Greater Manchester for years.  The monster was released last month after being jailed in 2012 for 22 years for 30 child rape offences, and 19 years for child sex offences and trafficking. But attempts to send him back to his native Pakistan have whipped up a diplomatic row after Ahmed reportedly renounced citizenship of his homeland, which he left in 1967 at the age of 14. Despite being stripped of his right to remain in the UK by the last government - effectively leaving him stateless - Britain cannot deport him thanks to a 1971 law protecting the rights of certain Commonwealth citizens.  Pakistan has refused time and again to take him back. And yesterday, the country's Ministry of Foreign Affairs once again washed its hands of the paedophile - and went as far as to suggest his crimes were the result of his British lifestyle. Tahir Andrabi, spokesperson for the Pakistan foreign ministry, told reporters on Thursday that the question of how to deal with Ahmed was 'entirely an internal matter of the United Kingdom'. He also suggested the monster had been 'spoiled' by his British life. The government has said it will change the law to depart Rochdale grooming gang boss Shabir Ahmed (pictured) but his home nation has refused to take him back Pakistan foreign ministry spokesman Tahir Andrabi (pictured) doubled down on the country's refusal to accept Ahmed, who reportedly renounced his Pakistani citizenship 'The individual concerned is a British national who spent his entire adult life in the UK and was duly convicted by a British court for reprehensible offences committed on British soil,' Mr Andrabi said. 'Any decision regarding his release, supervision of usual legal status, falls exclusively within the jurisdiction of the competent British authorities and must be dealt with in accordance with the laws of the United Kingdom. 'Regardless of where he was born, the onus lies on where he grew up, was raised, groomed, and unfortunately spoiled. 'The government of Pakistan has no connection whatsoever with this matter. 'We cannot be associated with any decisions relating to the individual's release or subsequent treatment under the British law.' Mr Andrabi added that Pakistan 'strongly condemned' child sexual abuse, and that perpetrators should face the 'fullest extent of the law, irrespective of race, ethnicity or religion'. His comments sparked anger last night: shadow home secretary Chris Philp said the suggestion the UK was to blame for Ahmed's crimes was 'deeply repugnant'. He said: 'Vile paedophile child rapists who came here from Pakistan should all be deported back.' Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood said this week she would seek to amend the 1971 Immigration Act which, as it stands, prevents Britain from deporting Ahmed. The law prevents any citizens of the Commonwealth - of which Pakistan is a member - from being deported even if they have been convicted of a criminal offence. Even if the law is changed, Ahmed's removal depends on Pakistan accepting him back - something it has said it will not do. Downing Street insists it is still squeezing Pakistani ministers. A No10 spokesman told the Mail: 'We are engaging with the Pakistan government at a senior level, doing everything possible to deport him.'  It came as ministers last night signed off £153million in foreign aid for Pakistan despite the diplomatic row.  No10 said that none of the aid goes to the Pakistan government but to charities and other bodies working in the country.  Because Pakistan has limited tax revenues, it relies heavily on foreign aid to fund vital services. The Foreign Office yesterday said the cash would be used to help build a 'safer, more resilient Pakistan' which would reduce 'security and migration risks to the UK'.