WEB DESK: Rukhsar Ahmed, a newly elected member of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) in the Azad Kashmir Legislative Assembly, has firmly denied any involvement in grooming or sexual abuse crimes in the United Kingdom.
Last week, The Guardian reported that Ahmed, a former minister in Azad Kashmir, was detained at Manchester airport in July 2024 on suspicion of raping and trafficking at least two underage girls from care facilities in the Rusholme district during the 1990s. He was subsequently released on bail and returned to Pakistan nearly two months ago, citing health issues that prevented him from returning to the UK for a scheduled police interview.
In a statement posted on his Facebook page, Ahmed refuted the allegations, stating: “I categorically deny all accusations made against me. I will respond to these issues through the appropriate legal channels. Based on legal advice, I will not comment further while the case remains active.”
Just two weeks prior, Ahmed was elected as an MLA on PML-N’s ticket during the initial phase of ongoing elections.
Over the weekend, Ahmed, 61, met with a reporter from the Mail on Sunday at his office in Khari Sharif, a village in Mirpur district. He conveyed that he intends to return to the UK to fulfill his bail conditions but declined to specify a date, explaining, “My legal team in Manchester and London are handling everything. I cannot discuss this matter publicly as it might affect proceedings.”
When questioned directly about the allegations of raping underage girls, Ahmed declined to respond, telling the reporter: “You are doing wrong now. I told you not to speak to me like this. I have nothing to do with these charges. Please stop asking.”
Ahmed served as a minister across various state governments from 2006 until he lost his seat in 2021.
According to The Guardian, Greater Manchester Police (GMP) had sought to impose travel restrictions on Ahmed as part of his bail conditions; however, a judge rejected stricter measures in July 2024. Ahmed’s arrest on July 18, 2024, was linked to allegations of child sexual abuse connected to the Rusholme area, where he resided for many years.
The ongoing investigation involves multiple women alleging sexual abuse of children at care homes in the early 1990s, when Ahmed was in his late 20s. He is expected to appear before police within the next six weeks. If he fails to cooperate or attend, GMP may issue an arrest warrant or pursue extradition procedures.
GMP has declined to comment on the case, citing policies against discussing individual investigations.
