UK approves 153 million pounds aid for Pakistan despite Shabir Ahmed refusal
The UK government approved 153 million pounds in aid for Pakistan, despite Pakistan's refusal to accept the deportation of convicted grooming gang leader Shabir Ahmed.
The Full Story
A plain summary built from the channels that reported this story.
The UK government has approved a 153 million pound aid package for Pakistan, despite the country's refusal to accept the deportation of Shabir Ahmed, a convicted grooming gang leader. Ahmed, who was sentenced to 22 years in prison for child sex offences, was released last month after serving 14 years. The Home Office had previously promised his victims that he would be deported to Pakistan upon his release, but Pakistani authorities have declined to take him back.
The aid plan, signed off by ministers, has sparked criticism from those who argue that the money should be withheld as leverage. The government has stated it is using all available levers to secure Ahmed's removal, but opponents point out that the aid was approved without any condition tied to his deportation. Some commentators have noted that Pakistan's economy, worth around 370 billion pounds, is not heavily dependent on British aid, reducing the potential impact of such a threat.
The case has also highlighted broader issues with the deportation of other members of the same grooming gang, who have similarly been refused entry by Pakistan. The government faces growing pressure to take a firmer stance, with calls to link aid, visa policies, and other diplomatic tools to the return of convicted criminals.
On screen
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Key Claims
Claims reported during this story's coverage, mapped by channel. Ordered by how many channels carried each claim.
| Claim | GB News | ITV |
|---|---|---|
| Pakistan refused to accept the return of convicted grooming gang leader Shabir Ahmed. | ||
| UK government approved £153 million in aid for Pakistan. | ||
| Pakistan also rejected other members of the grooming gang. | · | |
| Shabir Ahmed was released from prison after serving 14 years for child sex offences. | · | |
| The aid was not conditional on Pakistan taking back Shabir Ahmed. | · |
Channel Perspectives
What each channel focused on, with key quotes.
GB News focused on the perceived absurdity and outrage of giving aid to Pakistan while it refuses to take back a convicted grooming gang leader. The panel discussion emphasised the failure of soft power, criticised the Labour government for not using aid as leverage, and highlighted the broader problem of other gang members also being rejected. The tone was confrontational and critical, with a clear editorial slant against the aid decision.
- “I mean, clearly it's absurd that we are going to give them 153 million pounds and they're not gonna take our criminals back. I mean, that's obscene.”
- “Why does the headline not say foreign aid canceled over Rochdale grooming gang boss? Why is that not the headline?”
- “This is the leverage and it has to be held over them.”
ITV1 provided a brief, factual summary of the story without analysis or commentary. The report simply stated that the government had signed off the aid plan despite Pakistan's refusal to take back Shabir Ahmed, and noted that the government claimed to be doing everything to remove him. The tone was neutral and straightforward, with no editorialising.
- “The government has signed off on a £153 million plan in aid for Pakistan, despite the country refusing to take back grooming gang-boss Shabir Ahmed, that's despite the government claiming it was doing everything in its power to remove him.”
Broadcast Timeline
News broadcasts tracked for this story, in time order.