The UK cannot remove Shabir Ahmed from the country despite his recent release following a 22-year sentence for abuse committed in a Rochdale grooming gang. A 1971 immigration law shields Commonwealth citizens who arrived before 1973 and remained five years, blocking deportation even as the government proposes legislative changes to enable removal in serious crime cases.

Pakistan's foreign ministry has declared the matter entirely Britain's responsibility, noting Ahmed spent his entire adult life in the UK and was convicted by British courts for crimes committed on British soil. In response, Conservative politicians have suggested the government consider withholding its annual £51 million aid package or imposing visa restrictions on Pakistani nationals to compel the country to accept his return.