The father of a 10-year-old girl, whose tragic death led to an international manhunt in Pakistan, is set to face trial for her murder next year. Sara Sharif’s lifeless body was discovered at the family home near Woking, southern England, on August 10, the day after her father, Urfan Sharif, flew to Islamabad.
An early morning emergency call reporting Sara’s death was made from Pakistan by a man claiming to be her father, as confirmed by investigators. The house was unoccupied, and the search for the suspects continued with the assistance of Interpol and the British foreign ministry coordinating with Pakistani authorities.
Urfan Sharif, a 41-year-old taxi driver, traveled to Pakistan with his partner Beinash Batool, 29, and his brother Faisal Malik, 28, along with his other five children. All three adults have been accused of Sara’s murder and appeared before a judge at London’s Old Bailey court via video link on Tuesday.
The trio faces charges of causing or allowing the death of a child as well. They were arrested last week upon their return from Pakistan after spending a month abroad. The post-mortem examination revealed that Sara had suffered “multiple and extensive injuries” over an extended period.
During Tuesday’s hearing, the defendants only spoke to verify their names and addresses. They have been remanded in custody until a pre-trial hearing scheduled for December 1. The trial is anticipated to begin on September 2, 2024, and is projected to last for six weeks.