India, Feb. 9 -- Shabana Mahmood has emerged as one of the top contenders for the post of Prime Minister in the UK after Labour leader Keir Starmer found himself in hot water due to the Epstein files. Mahmood, who is currently the home secretary, has backed hardline immigration reforms for the country.

Mahmood, who is the daughter of immigrants from Pakistan and has roots in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, has stated that staying in the UK is a "privilege and not a right", and hence the laws must also reflect a similar stance.

Ministers have called to double the time it takes most migrant workers to qualify for permanent residence from five years to 10 years. While around 40 Labour MPs remain conflicted over the move, Mahmood has spoken out ...