Khan was sentenced to eight years for his crimes but was released on license after serving four years, while Rauf received a six-year sentence and was released after two and a half years.

Despite losing their deportation appeals in 2018, Rauf and Khan continue to reside in the UK, having exploited legal loopholes to become stateless by destroying their Pakistani passports.

Pakistan's refusal to take back these criminals is partly due to their stateless status, which complicates the deportation process.

The UK Home Office has stated its commitment to deporting foreign criminals and is currently in discussions with Pakistan regarding migration priorities.

The Pakistani government is currently refusing to accept the deportation of Qari Abdul Rauf and Adil Khan, leaders of the Rochdale child grooming gang, after they renounced their citizenship.

Rauf and Khan were convicted in 2012 for their involvement in a gang that sexually assaulted 47 girls in Rochdale, some as young as 12, over a two-year period, utilizing drugs and alcohol.

High-level talks are ongoing between UK ministers and Pakistan, aiming to persuade officials to allow the deportation of Rauf and Khan, with indications of potential progress.

While the Home Office has successfully deported other Pakistani offenders in recent months, Rauf and Khan remain notable exceptions due to their legal maneuvers.

The issue has resurfaced following a report by Baroness Casey, which criticized authorities for failing to address the ethnic backgrounds of rapists targeting young girls.

This recent audit has renewed focus on the grooming scandal, revealing failures by police and council leaders to investigate cases due to fears of being labeled racist.

Local MP Paul Waugh and shadow justice secretary Robert Jenrick have criticized the government for not taking decisive action against Pakistan regarding the deportation of Rauf and Khan.

There is speculation that restoring direct flights from Pakistan to the UK could aid in negotiations regarding deportations, although UK officials have not confirmed this as a topic of discussion.