Lord Nazir Ahmed against deportation of Pak students

LONDON, April 22 (APP)-The British member of Parliament Lord Nazir Ahmed has appealed to the UK Government not to deport 10 Pakistani students against whom all charges of suspect terrorism have been dropped and they have been released Wednesday without charge.

In his letter to the Home Secretary Jacqui Smith, the British Peer wrote that it would be wrong for the British Government to deport the Pakistani students as it has not been proven that they pose threat to the UK and that no case has been made for the Crown Prosecution Service.

“Therefore, I cannot understand why they are being removed from the UK on the grounds of national security. It is an embarrassing state of affairs when a “every big plot’s has now turned into 11 men being released,” Lord Ahmed said.

He felt that immediate apology be given to these men, their families and the wider Pakistani community who have been on trial by the media since their arrest instead of deportation orders being made.

This, he added, was necessary to retain confidence and trust within the British judicial system.

“I have been under enormous pressure since this morning from the British Pakistani community who have been asking for the Government to apologise immediately and offer these men compensation since they are completely innocent until proven guilty.”

Lord Ahmed further stated that it is not appropriate for the Government to place a “gag” on these individuals and for the Government to pressurise the Pakistani authorities into making sure these men do not speak about their experience.

“These individuals should be allowed to utilise their freedom of speech just like any other individual since this is a principle that the UK prides itself on.”

The Lord also raised questions about the credibility of the British intelligence services since this was an intelligence-led case. “As a consequence of mistakes like this, the Muslim community within the UK are fast losing confidence.” LINK..