Pakistan has reportedly sought the extradition of political opponents and critics of its military leadership from the United Kingdom as part of negotiations over the possible return of a Pakistani-origin convicted child sex offender who led the Rochdale grooming gang.
According to reports by The Telegraph and The Drop Site, Islamabad has proposed the controversial arrangement as Britain explores options to deport Shabir Ahmed, 73, after his recent release from prison following the completion of part of his sentence.
Ahmed, who was known as 'Daddy' by his victims, held dual British and Pakistani citizenship before his conviction. He was sentenced to 22 years in prison in August 2012 for 30 child sexual offences, including rape. Following his conviction, his British citizenship was revoked.
Despite losing his UK citizenship, Ahmed cannot currently be removed to Pakistan because provisions under Britain's Immigration Act 1971 protect Commonwealth citizens who arrived in the country before 1973 and have lived there for at least five years.
A senior Pakistani government official told The Telegraph that Britain should acknowledge matters considered important by Islamabad instead of relying on "arm-twisting" or threats over Ahmed's possible return.
Pakistan had earlier declined to accept Ahmed and two other alleged Rochdale grooming gang leaders, arguing that they were no longer Pakistani citizens after renouncing their nationality.
However, the official said Islamabad was willing to consider an approach "out of the box" and "beyond normal procedures" to find a way forward on Ahmed's return.
As part of the discussions, Pakistan has reportedly raised concerns about several dissidents and political activists residing in Britain. These include Shahzad Akbar and Adil Raja, two outspoken critics of Pakistan's political and military establishment who are facing formal extradition requests from Islamabad.
Akbar, who served in former prime minister Imran Khan's cabinet, and Raja, a Pakistani journalist and former military officer, were sought by Pakistan in December last year over allegations of spreading "fake news" and anti-state propaganda.
Islamabad has also repeatedly sought the handover of Altaf Hussain, the London-based founder of the Muttahida Qaumi opposition movement, who has lived in exile in the UK for three decades.
"There are people using British soil to destabilise Pakistan, in violation of several British laws, but the UK has done absolutely nothing about them," the Pakistani official told The Telegraph.
"The UK tells us these miscreants are law-abiding and following UK law. They tell us they have to protect their human rights and free speech. We have shared evidence that they incite hatred, violence and social unrest, but the UK does not listen to us. Why double standards?"
Reports said British and Pakistani authorities have been engaged in discussions over the return of grooming gang offenders, including Ahmed, for almost a year ahead of his release.
"Our position is that they [the UK] must listen to us too. Both sides need to apply standards. Pakistan cannot be railroaded into agreeing to terms and conditions that are suitable only to the UK," the official said.
"The UK knows what our demands are. We have made our demands and concerns categorically clear to the UK. Some people in the UK are only playing media games. They are not being honest," they added.
### Dispute over alleged UK pressure
The Pakistani official alleged that Britain had privately and publicly warned Islamabad of possible visa restrictions and reductions in overseas aid if Pakistan refused to accept Ahmed's return.
"These demands are being made about somebody who is now around 75 and who has spent more than 60 years in your country. How is he our national when he is actually not our national? This is arrogance and a colonial mindset. It is unacceptable to us," the official said.
They added, "We have systems and laws, and the UK government, as well as politicians, must respect our legal position and the issues that matter to us."
According to the reports, Islamabad had previously agreed to accept the return of "some convicted grooming gang offenders as a gesture of goodwill." Pakistani officials, however, claim that Britain's demands have increased since then.
Two convicted Rochdale grooming gang members, Hamid Safi and Mohammed Sajid, have already been deported to Pakistan.
"It is a different Pakistan you are dealing with. Arrogance is not acceptable to us. We do not believe in arm-twisting, and the policy of arm-twisting is not going to yield any results. The Pakistan you are dealing with now is not the Pakistan you dealt with a few years ago. It is a very different kind of government, one that will not be blackmailed," the official said.
Meanwhile, the British government is examining whether changes to the Immigration Act 1971 could allow the deportation of individuals such as Ahmed to Pakistan.
UK Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood has said all options remain under consideration, including emergency legislation.
Mahmood is also reportedly weighing visa sanctions against Pakistan, though officials view such measures as a "nuclear option" that would only be considered if diplomatic efforts fail.
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