Pakistani grooming gang suspect ‘refuses to give date for return to UK’

Pakistani Politician Faces Rape Charges While Refusing to Set Return Date to Britain

Wanderstayfinder.com – Rukhsar Ahmed, a former state minister from Pakistan who was elected as a member of parliament while out on bail, has declined to commit to a specific timeline for returning to the United Kingdom. The 61-year-old is currently facing allegations of raping and trafficking at least two underage girls who were residents of care homes in Manchester’s Rusholme district during the 1990s.

Current Situation in Pakistan

Ahmed was recently located in his office at Khari Sharif, a village situated within the Mirpur district of Pakistan. When approached by journalists, he indicated his intention to fly back to Britain to satisfy his bail requirements but would not specify when this would occur.

I categorically deny all the allegations against me and will address these matters through the appropriate forums. On legal advice, I will not comment further while these matters remain ongoing.

He explained that his legal representatives in both Manchester and London are handling the situation. When questioned directly about whether he had assaulted two underage girls, he declined to provide an answer.

You are doing wrong now, I told you not to talk to me like this … please don’t talk to me like this, I told you I have nothing to do with it, OK.

Ahmed also expressed frustration with media coverage, stating that British and European outlets were acting improperly. He emphasized that he has not been convicted of any offense and has not been formally charged.

Arrest and Political Career

The former minister was detained at Manchester airport on July 18, 2024, in connection with historical child sexual abuse allegations. He had been living in the Rusholme area for many years and owned the Gujjar Palace restaurant, located near what is known as Manchester’s curry mile. After his arrest, Ahmed was released on bail and departed for Pakistan approximately two months ago. He missed a scheduled appointment at a police station, informing officers that his health prevented him from flying back to the UK at that time. Remarkably, he was elected as an MP for the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz party, the centre-right political organization led by prime minister Shehbaz Sharif, just days after his departure. Ahmed served as a minister in various state governments from 2006 until he lost his parliamentary seat in 2021.

Bail Conditions and Legal Process

Greater Manchester police had sought to impose stricter travel restrictions on Ahmed as part of his bail conditions. However, a judge dismissed these tougher measures in July 2024. The ongoing investigation centers on allegations from multiple women concerning the sexual abuse of children at care homes during the early 1990s, when Ahmed was in his late twenties. He is expected to respond to police bail within the next six weeks. Should he fail to attend, authorities may issue an arrest warrant or initiate extradition proceedings.

Broader Context of Grooming Gang Investigations

Rusholme has been a focal point for grooming gang investigations over the past three decades. Richard Scorer, who leads the abuse law practice at Slater and Gordon and has represented numerous clients in Manchester grooming gang cases, provided insight into the area’s history.

Rusholme has regularly featured in grooming gang investigations over the past 30 years, with many cases involving allegations of children being abused in and around the area. Not all of those allegations have been adequately investigated. I hope that a comprehensive investigation is taking place here.

The case highlights ongoing scrutiny of how historical abuse allegations are handled, particularly when suspects have international connections or political positions. The outcome of Ahmed’s case may influence how similar situations are managed in the future, especially regarding bail conditions for individuals who travel abroad while facing charges. The Guardian has once again reached out to Ahmed for additional comment as the investigation continues to develop.