LAHORE: Pakistan police have confirmed that the British-Pakistani father of a 10-year-old girl, whose dead body was discovered in their home in Woking, England last month, is on his way back to the UK along with his wife and brother. This development comes after weeks during which the trio went on the run, sparking an international manhunt.
The tragic case of Sara Sharif sent shockwaves through the UK when her body was found in the southern town of Woking on August 10. A subsequent post-mortem examination revealed that Sara had endured “multiple and extensive injuries” over an extended period, as disclosed by British police in August.
Jhelum police spokesman Mudassar Khan told AFP news agency, “We can confirm the three suspects in the case boarded a flight earlier and are on their way to the UK.” He further clarified that they had voluntarily chosen to return with the knowledge of Pakistani authorities.
British authorities had previously reported that Urfan Sharif, aged 41, his partner Beinash Batool, aged 29, and his brother Faisal Malik, aged 28, had fled to Pakistan and sought refuge with relatives before Sara’s lifeless body was discovered.
Raja Haq Nawaz, a lawyer representing Urfan Sharif’s father, confirmed their departure but stressed that they had not been arrested. He clarified, “I confirm that they have not been arrested but they left voluntarily.” The three suspects reportedly departed on an Emirates flight from the Punjabi city of Sialkot.
Pakistani Couple’s Video
Earlier this month, both Sharif and Batool appeared in a video message distributed to the media. In the video, Batool expressed their willingness “to cooperate with UK authorities and fight our case in court.” She also revealed that family members had gone into hiding, expressing concerns for their safety.
The video, although of low quality and just over two minutes long, did not extensively discuss the circumstances surrounding Sara’s tragic death, which Batool referred to as an “incident.”
Surrey police had previously disclosed that the trio had flown to Islamabad on August 9, the day before Sara’s lifeless body was discovered. The initial emergency call reporting Sara’s death was made from Pakistan by an individual identifying himself as her father.
Recently, five children aged between one and 13, who had traveled to Pakistan with the adults, were found at the home of Urfan Sharif’s father. A magistrate subsequently placed the children into state protective services on Tuesday.
The manhunt for the suspects continues, with Interpol and the UK’s foreign ministry collaborating with Pakistani authorities in coordinating efforts to apprehend the trio and investigate the tragic circumstances surrounding Sara’s death.
