A former Pakistani state minister, Rukhsar Ahmed, has been arrested on suspicion of raping vulnerable young girls in Manchester in the 1990s, according to the Guardian, and remains on UK police bail even after being re-elected as an MP in Pakistan.
Key facts
- Rukhsar Ahmed, a former Pakistani state minister, was arrested in July 2024, according to the Guardian.
- He is on police bail in the UK on suspicion of rape and trafficking children in care as part of a grooming gang.
- The alleged offences relate to vulnerable young girls in Manchester in the 1990s.
- Ahmed was re-elected as an MP in Pakistan last week after five years out of office.
A former Pakistani state minister has been arrested on suspicion of raping vulnerable young girls in Manchester in the 1990s, according to an exclusive report by the Guardian.
The man, named as Rukhsar Ahmed, is on police bail in the UK following his arrest in July 2024, the newspaper reported. He was arrested on suspicion of rape and trafficking children in care as part of a grooming gang.
The Guardian reports that the alleged offences took place in Manchester during the 1990s and involved vulnerable young girls.
Despite being on police bail in the UK, Ahmed was re-elected as an MP in Pakistan last week, the Guardian said. His return to elected office came after five years out of office.
The report highlights the contrast between his ongoing legal status in Britain and his renewed political role in Pakistan. No further details of any charges or court proceedings were included in the source material.
Why it matters
The case raises questions about accountability and the handling of historical grooming allegations that span international borders. It also underscores the challenge authorities face when a person under investigation in one country holds public office in another.
Frequently asked questions
Who is Rukhsar Ahmed?
According to the Guardian, Rukhsar Ahmed is a former Pakistani state minister who was re-elected as an MP in Pakistan last week after five years out of office.
What is he accused of?
The Guardian reports he was arrested on suspicion of raping vulnerable young girls in Manchester in the 1990s, and on suspicion of rape and trafficking children in care as part of a grooming gang.
When was he arrested?
The Guardian says he was arrested in July 2024 and remains on police bail in the UK.