Legal Battles in Britain Spill Over into Pakistan‑Held Kashmir Election

The election for a seat in the disputed Azad Kashmir assembly has become entangled with a high‑profile child‑sex abuse case in Britain. Rukhsar Ahmed, a former Pakistani minister, was named by Greater Manchester Police as a participant in a 1990s grooming ring that victimised young girls. After his arrest at Manchester Airport in July, he was granted bail but declined to appear for a scheduled hearing, citing health issues that allegedly prevented him from flying. While the court denied a request to impose a travel ban, Ahmed continued to campaign in Mirpur, ultimately winning the constituency as the PML‑N nominee. The British authorities have set a six‑week window for his next court appearance; non‑compliance could lead to an extradition bid, raising the prospect of a diplomatic standoff between London and Islamabad.