Pakistan, July 17 -- Britain has raised the prospect of imposing visa restrictions on Pakistan in an escalating diplomatic dispute over the proposed deportation of Shabir Ahmed, the convicted ringleader of the Rochdale grooming gang, as Islamabad declared that the case was entirely Britain's responsibility and had nothing to do with Pakistan.

Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper told the House of Commons Foreign Affairs Committee that the Labour Government was prepared to examine "all possible levers" to force countries to accept the return of offenders whom Britain wants to deport. Responding to questions about Ahmed, Cooper said the British government had repeatedly raised his case with Pakistan and would continue doing so.

"This individua...