Siblings of Sara Sharif to remain in Pakistan as UK legal proceedings end
Surrey County Council are stepping down efforts to bring the siblings back to the UK
The siblings of murdered 10-year-old Sara Sharif will stay in Pakistan following the conclusion of UK legal proceedings.
Sara's siblings, whose identities are protected by a court order, were taken to Pakistan on 9th August 2023 by Urfan Sharif, her father, stepmother Beinash Batool, and uncle Faisal Malik.
Sara was found dead at their Woking home a day later.
Sharif and Batool were sentenced to life imprisonment in December 2024 for her murder, with Malik receiving 16 years for causing or allowing her death.
After arriving in Pakistan, the siblings were initially with their paternal grandfather and then placed in state care.
In September 2023, the children were made wards of the High Court in London, requiring their return to the UK.
Surrey County Council pursued legal proceedings in Lahore, Pakistan, to facilitate the siblings’ return to England.
However, a High Court order issued in December 2025 indicated proceedings would be dismissed in six months without further developments or extensions.
The council has now withdrawn from the case, unable to continue efforts to bring the children back.
Terence Herbert, chief executive of Surrey County Council, stated, “Surrey County Council has done everything within our power to support the siblings and half-siblings of Sara Sharif in Pakistan.”
Muhammad Sharif, the children's grandfather, has expressed his intent to keep them under his care, emphasising their established life and association with him in Pakistan.
He asserted their enrolment in a reputable school and his commitment to their safety.
The legal proceedings in Lahore have concluded alongside the UK court proceedings.