Archive · 18 Jul 2026
UK's £153m Aid to Pakistan Sparks Row
The UK government has decided to give Pakistan £153 million over the next three years.
This has caused a big argument because Pakistan refused to take back a man named Shabir Ahmed, who was convicted of very serious crimes against children.
The opposition party says the UK should not give money to Pakistan if they won't take back criminals.
The government says the money is for development and not directly to the Pakistani government.
Shabir Ahmed was born in Pakistan, moved to the UK, and led a group that hurt young girls.
He was sentenced to many years in prison.
The argument is about whether the UK should give aid to Pakistan and how to handle criminals who are not originally from the UK.
UK approves £153 million aid to Pakistan over three years.
Pakistan refuses to take back convicted grooming gang leader Shabir Ahmed.
Opposition accuses government of rewarding Pakistan despite refusal to accept criminals.
Labour defends aid, stating it goes to development programs, not the Pakistani government.
Ahmed, 73, led a gang that exploited girls as young as 12, receiving a 22-year sentence.
- Who
- UK government, Pakistan, Shabir Ahmed
- What
- Controversy over £153 million aid to Pakistan and refusal to take back convicted criminal Shabir Ahmed
- When
- July 17, 2026
- Where
- United Kingdom and Pakistan
- Why
- Pakistan's refusal to take back Ahmed and political debate over aid and deportation policies
- Aid Amount
- £153 million
- Duration
- 3 years
- Convicted Criminal
- Shabir Ahmed
- Crimes
- Rape, child sexual abuse, trafficking
- Sentence
- 22 years for 30 child rape offences, 19 years for other offences
- Previous Aid (2017)
- £402 million
- Pakistan's Stance
- Denied responsibility, called it a UK internal matter