Sara Sharif’s siblings to stay in Pakistan
Sara Sharif's Siblings to Remain in Pakistan
Sara Sharif s siblings to stay - Surrey County Council has decided to withdraw from legal efforts to repatriate Sara Sharif's siblings to the UK, citing no further options to challenge their stay in Pakistan. The five children have lived with their paternal grandfather in Jhelum since October 2023, following their father and stepmother’s flight to the country after Sara’s murder. A prolonged series of court proceedings in Pakistan has yet to resolve the final custody arrangement, leaving the children’s future uncertain despite the conclusion of English legal actions.
The Aftermath of Sara's Tragedy
Sara Sharif, a 10-year-old girl, was found dead in Woking on 10 August 2023. Her father, Urfan Sharif, stepmother Beinash Batool, and uncle Faisal Malik fled to Pakistan with the children shortly after, evading authorities for weeks. A relative of Urfan Sharif revealed to the BBC that he assisted in hiding the family, including sheltering them in a cornfield during a police raid. The children were later located in Jhelum on 11 September 2023, when police searched Urfan’s father’s home.
Legal Battles and Custody Disputes
Following Sara’s death, her siblings became wards of court in England. Surrey County Council had pursued legal avenues in Pakistan to bring them back, but the process faced delays and interruptions. The BBC attended over a dozen hearings, where the case was repeatedly postponed, partially addressed, and restarted with new judges. The eldest sibling, now a teenager, participated in most of these sessions. A judge recently acknowledged the significance of the issues but left the question of Surrey’s jurisdiction unanswered.
"The children were made Wards of the High Court and an Order was sought to return them to England," said Terence Herbert, Surrey County Council's chief executive. "The High Court gave permission for the council to apply to the Lahore High Court, and that application was made."
In December 2025, a court order stated that custody proceedings would be dismissed in six months if no extension was requested, provided the children were no longer under Surrey’s care. The council emphasized its efforts to support Sara’s family, stating it had "done everything within our power" to secure their return. However, with English proceedings nearing closure, the siblings’ fate now rests in Pakistan’s legal system.
Sara’s father and stepmother were convicted of murder and received life sentences, while her uncle was sentenced to 16 years for causing or allowing her death. The judge called the cruelty "almost inconceivable." The BBC continues to monitor the situation, reporting on the ongoing struggles to determine the children’s long-term home.
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