UK Approves 153 Million Pounds Aid to Pakistan for Three Years

The UK government approved £153 million in aid to Pakistan over the next three years, GB News reported. The Foreign Office released the figures even as Pakistan refuses to accept the return of Shabir Ahmed. Ahmed, 73, was released from prison earlier this month after serving 14 years of a 22-year sentence for 30 child rape offences.

He was placed in a secure bail hostel and later moved after the location was leaked on social media. Pakistan's Foreign Office spokesman Tahir Andrabi stated that Ahmed grew up, was raised, groomed and spoiled in Britain and that the onus for his crimes rests exclusively on Britain.

Andrabi declared that Pakistan would not take Ahmed back and said his crimes demand serious introspection rather than a search for extraneous causes.

Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood announced on Monday that she would change immigration laws to close a loophole under the 1971 Immigration Act that prevents the deportation of Commonwealth citizens who arrived before 1973. Downing Street said the government is engaging with Islamabad and doing everything possible to deport Ahmed.

Downing Street added that the aid will go to charities and other bodies in Pakistan rather than the Pakistani government.

The Foreign Office said the package will help forge a safer, more resilient Pakistan and limit security and migration risks to the UK. Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp said vile paedophile child rapists who came from Pakistan should all be deported and that overseas aid and new visas for Pakistani citizens should be stopped until they take Ahmed and those like him back.

Shadow Foreign Secretary Priti Patel said the aid approval while Pakistan refuses to accept Ahmed tells all one needs to know and noted that Labour slipped the announcement out on the last day of the parliamentary session.