Arabic version: ستبقى أشقاء سارة شريف في باكستان بعد سحب القضية القانونية

The siblings of Sara Sharif, a 10-year-old girl murdered by her father and stepmother, will continue to reside in Pakistan after Surrey County Council withdrew its legal case to bring them back to the UK. The five children have been living with their paternal grandfather in Jhelum since October 2023.

According to BBC News, the decision regarding custody and the children’s living arrangements has been the subject of prolonged court battles in Pakistan lasting over two-and-a-half years. The children were made wards of court in England, and Surrey County Council had been seeking their return through the Pakistani courts.

Surrey County Council stated that it could no longer pursue the application in Pakistan, as English legal proceedings are coming to an end. The final decision on custody remains pending, but current options suggest the children will stay in Pakistan. The grandfather’s lawyer indicated that the children hold joint nationality, allowing for a potential return to the UK in the future if they choose.

Sara Sharif’s father, Urfan Sharif, and stepmother, Beinash Batool, were sentenced to life imprisonment for her murder. The children were discovered on 11 September 2023 after being hidden by their family to evade law enforcement. Following their discovery, they were initially placed in a childcare facility before being granted temporary custody to their grandfather in October 2023.

Surrey County Council has faced challenges in asserting jurisdiction over the children in Pakistan, leading to numerous delays and complications in the legal process. The council’s chief executive, Terence Herbert, expressed that they have done everything possible to support the siblings during this difficult situation.