Pakistan Offers to Take Back UK Grooming Gang Offenders, Seeks Extradition of Political Dissidents in Return

Pakistan has reportedly proposed a controversial quid pro quo to the United Kingdom: Islamabad says it is willing to accept the return of Pakistani-origin convicted grooming gang offenders from Britain—but only if the UK agrees to extradite two high-profile political dissidents wanted by Pakistan’s military-backed government.

According to a report by US-based Drop Site News, Pakistan’s Interior Ministry conveyed that it would take back notorious offenders like Qari Abdul Rauf and Adil Khan in exchange for the UK handing over:

• Shahzad Akbar, former adviser to Imran Khan

• Adil Raja, ex-army major and prominent critic of the military establishment

Both men have lived in exile in the UK since 2022 and have been openly critical of the Asim Munir-led military regime and the government of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.

UK Grooming Gang Deportations Stalled for Years

For over a decade, the UK has attempted to deport members of Pakistani-origin child exploitation networks—known as grooming gangs—whose abuse of vulnerable minors in towns like Rochdale, Rotherham and Telford shocked the nation.

But deportations remain blocked because:

• Pakistan refused to accept the convicts, and

• The offenders renounced Pakistani citizenship to avoid repatriation.

The men have remained stateless since the UK stripped their citizenship in 2018.

Pakistan Accused of 'Weaponising Grooming Gangs’

The reported exchange offer came days after Pakistan’s Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi met UK High Commissioner Jane Marriott to discuss “security cooperation” and the return of undocumented Pakistanis.

Though official statements did not mention grooming gang offenders, sources told Drop Site News that Naqvi included them under the category of “illegally residing Pakistanis.”

Naqvi also insisted Pakistan would not tolerate “slander” from critics abroad—an apparent reference to Akbar and Raja.

The alleged negotiation has triggered intense criticism online.

Journalist Waqas Ahmed wrote:
“They have figured out a way to weaponise British grooming gangs against overseas activists.”

Others called it a diplomatic leveraging of criminals to silence dissidents.

Human Rights Concerns Raised

The International Human Rights Foundation condemned the alleged proposal as an act of transnational repression, noting that:

• Raja was court-martialled in absentia, sentenced to 14 years

• He was denied legal representation and the right to defence

• Both dissidents face credible risks of persecution

The organisation urged the UK to consider these violations before entertaining any request from Islamabad.

Political Backdrop

The alleged proposal comes amid:

• Rising tensions between the Pakistani government and Imran Khan supporters

• Rumours surrounding Khan’s imprisonment

• Intensifying crackdowns on critics abroad

Analysts argue Pakistan may be trying to use the grooming gang controversy—an issue that has shaken public confidence in the UK’s handling of child protection—to secure the return of its critics.

No Formal Treaty, But ‘Ad Hoc’ Options Exist

Pakistan and the UK do not have an extradition treaty, but British law allows for special case-by-case arrangements under Section 194 of the Extradition Act 2003.

However, political sensitivities, human rights concerns and the fear of public backlash make such a deal extremely complex.

For the UK government—already under fire for delays in the national inquiry into grooming gangs—the alleged quid pro quo presents a highly volatile diplomatic dilemma.