04 September 2023 , 13:03
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The father of Sara Sharif did not tell his relatives about her death after he arrived in Pakistan, her grandfather has claimed.
Urfan Sharif, his partner Beinash Batool and brother Faisal Malik all vanished after the 10-year-old's death. Sharif, 41, 28-year-old Malik and Batool, 29, flew to Islamabad in Pakistan the day before Sara's body was found at her home in Woking, Surrey, on August 10. They travelled with five children aged between one and 13 years old, police said.
Speaking in Pakistan, Sara's grandfather Muhammad Sharif, 68, said: "I met Urfan and he stayed with us for two nights along with his children and wife. He did not inform us about the death of Sara and suddenly they all left the house. Sara visited Pakistan twice two years ago, she was dear to me and a very cute and obedient girl. I was shocked when I heard about her death. I don't know why this incident happened."
Detectives want to speak to Urfan Sharif about his daughter's death (PA)
Urfan Sharif, his partner Beinash Batool and brother Faisal Malik all vanished after Sara's death (TikTok)Investigators from the Pakistani police believe the fugitives stayed with Sharif's family before their last known sighting in Domeli in central Punjab. A post-mortem revealed that Sara had suffered multiple and extensive injuries, likely to have been caused over a sustained and extended period of time.
A message reportedly found at Sara's home claimed she was battered to death by a person known to her family. Said to have been written by a relative in large letters on lined paper, it reportedly starts: "Who ever sees this, it was [name] who killed [Sara] by beating. I am running away because I am scared."
Police are 'closing in' on dad of murdered Woking girl, 10, after he vanished
Surrey Police said the force's interactions with Sara's family "goes back some years". Det Supt Mark Chapman urged people who had had contact with Sara to come forward. He said: "Any information is better than no information although you might think it's insignificant, it might be vital to the investigation and in helping us to bring justice for Sara."