On UK bail in child rape case, former POK minister Rukhsar Ahmed wins election

Islamabad: Former POK minister Rukhsar Ahmed has returned to elected office despite being under investigation in the UK over alleged child rape and human trafficking. Here is what is known about the case, his political career and the controversy surrounding his election win.

Rukhsar Ahmed, 62, is a Pakistani-origin politician who has previously served as a minister in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir's governments. He contested the LA-4 Mirpur-IV seat in the 2026 POK Assembly elections on a Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) ticket and won with around 54 per cent of the votes, according to reports by UK newspapers The Guardian and The Times.

Ahmed has been active in POK politics for several years and previously served as a minister between 2006 and 2021, holding portfolios including revenue, trade, industries, animal husbandry and power development.

Before entering politics, Ahmed spent years in Manchester, United Kingdom, where he was known within sections of the Kashmir-origin community. He also owned the Gujjar Palace restaurant in Manchester's Curry Mile area, which has since closed.

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What is the UK case against him?

The case relates to allegations of historical child sexual abuse and human trafficking linked to a wider investigation by Greater Manchester Police (GMP) into alleged grooming gang activity during the 1990s.

According to reports, Ahmed was arrested by GMP officers at Manchester Airport on July 18, 2024, on suspicion of rape and child trafficking. Police questioned him over allegations made by at least two women who claimed they were abused and trafficked while they were vulnerable girls living in care homes in Manchester's Rusholme area during the 1990s.

Ahmed was not charged after questioning. He was released on police bail, and the investigation remains ongoing.

GMP's wider investigation into historical child sexual abuse allegations has resulted in multiple arrests, with reports stating that 22 people have been arrested as part of the probe.

How did he contest elections while under investigation?

Despite being under investigation in the UK, Ahmed returned to Pakistan-occupied Kashmir and contested the Assembly elections.

Reports said he was due to answer police bail in Manchester in July 2026 but did not appear, reportedly informing authorities that he was too unwell to travel to the UK.

At the same time, photographs and videos showed him participating in election campaigning in Mirpur ahead of the polls.

According to reports, Ahmed is expected to respond to police bail requirements again within weeks. If he fails to do so, Greater Manchester Police could consider further legal steps, including seeking an arrest warrant or possible extradition proceedings.

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Political reaction over his election win

Ahmed's election victory has triggered questions over how a person facing serious allegations abroad was able to contest and win public office.

Oldham Labour councillor Muhammad Shafique criticised the development, saying that someone under investigation in a child sexual exploitation case winning an election sent a negative message to victims.

However, some community members and political figures argued that allegations alone should not determine guilt, as Ahmed has not been convicted by a court.

A senior PML-N leader in POK reportedly said he was unaware of the allegations against Ahmed and had only known about his community links in Manchester.

Ahmed's background in Manchester

Before his political career, Ahmed was considered an influential figure among parts of Manchester's Kashmir-origin community.

According to reports, some residents described him as someone who helped community members and was socially active. Supporters have defended his reputation, while critics have questioned whether public figures facing serious criminal allegations should hold elected positions.

His former restaurant, Gujjar Palace, was located in Manchester's Curry Mile, an area known for South Asian restaurants and businesses.

The UK investigation into Rukhsar Ahmed remains ongoing. He has not been convicted of any offence, and the allegations against him have not been proven in court.

Greater Manchester Police is expected to continue its investigation, while Ahmed may have to comply with future bail requirements in the UK.

His election victory has brought renewed attention to questions surrounding political accountability, criminal investigations and eligibility for public office while facing allegations abroad.