UK councillor speaks for Kashmir, Pakistan stops him from leaving country

Pakistan has prevented British Labour councillor Daalat Ali from leaving the country after detaining him during a visit in October.

Ali, deputy leader of Rochdale Borough Council, was stopped from boarding a flight to the UK at Lahore airport on October 28.

Immigration officials reportedly told Ali that his name was on a Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) control list. He was travelling with a delegation led by Rochdale's ceremonial mayor, Faisal Rana, to Sahiwal in Punjab. The city has been twinned with Rochdale since 1998.

Rochdale Borough Council suspects Ali's detention was linked to his long-standing campaigning on Kashmir. The council said he had been held for a "short period" and added, "As far as we are aware, this is related to Councillor Ali's long-standing personal campaigning in relation to the Kashmir region."

The British Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office confirmed that a man had been detained and released. It said it was "in contact with local authorities".

According to the Kashmir Times, Ali was questioned for several hours after arriving at Islamabad airport in mid-October. He was released following contacts between British and Pakistani officials and rejoined the delegation.

When he attempted to fly home on October 28, officials reportedly removed him from his flight and asked him to complete additional paperwork in Islamabad. UK-based Kashmiri writer Shams Rehman, citing Ali, said the councillor was not in custody and hoped to return after completing the formalities.

Bradford East Labour MP Imran Hussain has sought ministerial intervention. He wrote on X, "This is completely unacceptable. I've today raised this matter with Ministers to ensure his urgent release and safe return back to the UK."

Indian human rights activist Azhar Ahmed also questioned the detention, raising concerns about freedom of expression and political intimidation.

Ali, originally from Kotli in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, has described Pakistan as an occupying power in the region in his writings. His detention comes during months of protests in POK, where demonstrators have been killed and journalists detained.