Pakistan could soon face a UK visa ban after shocking new figures revealed a mere 4.1% of failed Pakistani asylum seekers were sent home last year. The Home Secretary has now thrown down the gauntlet, warning Islamabad to get serious about cooperating – or face tough consequences.
Pakistani Asylum Claims Soar
Last year, 10,638 Pakistani nationals filed asylum claims in the UK – the highest number from any single country and double the total from 2023. They now make up one in ten asylum seekers in Britain, outnumbering claimants from countries like Eritrea, Iran, and Afghanistan.
A large chunk reportedly arrived on temporary visitor, work, or student visas, only to switch to asylum claims later, hoping for permanent residency.
Home Secretary Issues Stark Warning To Pakistan
Shabana Mahmood has put Pakistan under pressure to follow in the footsteps of Namibia, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Angola – all of which agreed to accept returnees after facing similar UK threats. A Home Office spokesperson said:
“While the UK and Pakistan are working in partnership on shared migration and returns priorities, our message is clear — co-operate on returns or face consequences.”
A visa ban could mean scrapping fast-track visa services and slashing entry privileges for a wide spectrum of Pakistani nationals, from tourists to politicians.
High-Profile Cases Complicate Relations
The situation is further tangled by the refusal to return two notorious grooming gang leaders, Adil Khan and Qari Abdul Rauf. Both were jailed in 2012 for the sexual assault of 47 girls, some aged just 12. They have renounced their Pakistani citizenship in a bid to block deportation.
Calls For Harsh Measures From UK Opposition
Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp slammed the returns rate as “pathetic” and demanded tougher action:
- Slash Pakistani visa grants
- Withdraw from the European Convention on Human Rights to enable swift deportations
As diplomatic talks continue, all eyes are on Pakistan’s next move. Will they buckle and boost cooperation – or face the hammer of UK visa restrictions?
