Former Pakistan Minister Wins PoK Election While on Bail in UK Sexual Assault Case

A former Pakistani state minister accused of sexual assault and child trafficking in the United Kingdom has reportedly won an election in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) while remaining on police bail in the UK.

Rukhsar Ahmed, 62, a senior leader of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), was reportedly re-elected to the so-called PoK legislative assembly last week after staying away from office for nearly five years. Ahmed had earlier served in several ministerial positions in PoK between 2006 and 2021.

The politician was arrested at Manchester Airport in July 2024 over allegations related to the rape and trafficking of children in care homes. British authorities are investigating claims made by multiple women, including allegations that Ahmed abused them when they were young girls in the Rusholme area of Manchester during the early 1990s.

According to the report, Ahmed was questioned by detectives after his arrest, and investigators became aware of his political background while he was in custody. He was later released on police bail and was expected to report back to the Greater Manchester Police, but reportedly failed to comply with the bail conditions.

The British police had sought stricter restrictions on Ahmed, including limits on his ability to travel abroad, but a court reportedly rejected those measures. Authorities may now consider further legal action, including issuing an arrest warrant or beginning extradition proceedings if he does not respond to future bail requirements.

Despite the ongoing investigation, Ahmed was recently seen campaigning in Mirpur, PoK, attending election gatherings and meeting political figures. He also shared photographs on social media of his meeting with Pakistan’s federal minister Amir Muqam.

Greater Manchester Police declined to comment on the case, stating that it had no further information to share at this stage. Ahmed, who is also a businessman, has not publicly responded to the allegations.