By Lucy Caulkett-
The five children who travelled from the UK to Pakistan with Sara’s father have been taken by police.
Neighbours said that dozens of officers raided the grandfather’s house, where the children were staying, on Monday.
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The five children, aged between one and 13, were found at the home of Muhammad Sharif, Urfan’s father and Sara’s grandfather, in the northern city of Jhelum, 173 kilometers from Lahore.
The news comes a month after Urfan, 41, fled Britain to Pakistan with his wife and brother, along with his five children, before calling 911 from the city of Islamabad to report that his daughter was dead in his home in Horsell, near Woking.
He did not say how long they had been with him.
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Earlier this week, Mohammed pleaded with his son to “cooperate with the police and face the law.”
‘Sharing the truth is their fundamental right, it is not possible to hide things. The more details they share, the better for them.”
Mohammed said last weekend that the family is negotiating with local politicians to take themselves into official custody.
An inquest held last month found that Sara’s cause of death was ‘not yet established’ but was likely ‘unnatural’.
Sara’s mother, Olga Sharif, revealed that her injuries were so bad that she barely recognized her at the morgue.
“One of her cheeks was swollen and the other side was bruised,” she told Polish TV channel TVN.
“Even now, when I close my eyes, I can see what my baby looked like.”
Olga said she hopes to bury her child in her native Poland.
Urfan and Beinash were last seen in a video published last week, in which the stepmother said without emotion that Sara’s death “was an isolated incident.”
Sara was just ten when she was found dead and alone in her family’s home on August 10.
A post-mortem examination revealed that the young girl had suffered ‘multiple and extensive injuries’.
Nasir Mehmood Bajwa, a district police officer, told the Guardian: “Police with a heavy contingent raided Sharif’s residence in Jhelum on Monday evening and recovered five children. They are healthy and in good condition.’
Police reportedly smashed the locks on the main entrance to the house before storming in and seizing CCTV cameras as part of a major raid on more than 20 properties in search of the family.
Sara Sharif (pictured) was found dead and alone at her family’s home near Woking, Surrey, on August 10.
Pakistani police, who arrested 10 members of Sara’s family this weekend, are still looking for Urfan, his wife, Beinash Batool, 29, and his brother, Faisal Malik, 28.
Muhammad Sharif previously denied knowing where the rest of Sara’s siblings were, but admitted to the BBC that he had hidden his grandchildren in Jhelum.
He did not say how long they had been with him.
Earlier this week, Mohammed pleaded with his son to “cooperate with the police and face the law.”
The tragic death of 10-year-old Sara Sharif in Woking, Surrey, in August shocked the world, and the subsequent events surrounding her family’s escape to Pakistan have added another layer of complexity to the case.
Sara’s father, Urfan Sharif, and his partner, Beinash Batool, fled the UK with five children aged between one and 13 after Sara’s untimely demise.
Neighbours today told The BBC that dozens of officers raided the grandfather’s house, where the children were staying, on Monday.
However, the recent seizure of these children by Pakistani police at their grandfather’s house has raised questions and concerns about their welfare and the circumstances surrounding their removal.
The disappearance of Sara Sharif’s father, Urfan Sharif, along with his partner, Beinash Batool, immediately following Sara’s tragic death, sent shockwaves through the UK. Post-mortem tests revealed that Sara had sustained “multiple and extensive injuries,” adding to the suspicion surrounding her death.
This led to a nationwide search for Urfan Sharif and Batool, who had seemingly fled the country.
Sara’s family fled Britain to Pakistan when her body was found.
‘Our family in Pakistan is being hit hard by everything that is going on. My biggest worry is that the Pakistani police will torture or kill us, that is why we are in hiding,” she added.
“All our relatives have gone into hiding because everyone is afraid for their safety. The children cannot go to school because they are afraid to leave the house. No one leaves the house.
‘The groceries have run out and there is no food for the children because the adults cannot leave their homes for fear of safety. That’s why we went into hiding.’
Pakistani Grandfather’s Role
Muhammad Sharif, Sara’s grandfather in Pakistan, played a central role in the unfolding drama.
He initially denied being in contact with his son or having any knowledge of the family’s whereabouts.
However, it was later revealed that the children had been staying with him since their arrival in Pakistan on 10 August.
Despite his initial denial, Muhammad Sharif adamantly refused to allow the children to leave his care. This decision raised questions about his motivations and concerns for the children’s safety.
The Police Raid
Dozens of police officers raided Muhammad Sharif’s house in Jhelum, where the children were staying. Eyewitnesses described a chaotic scene as police officers stopped traffic and prevented anyone from filming on their phones. According to Mr. Sharif, the police allegedly broke CCTV cameras and the gates of his home during the operation.
Reasons for the Seizure
The circumstances surrounding Sara Sharif’s death were alarming, with post-mortem tests indicating severe injuries. Given this context, it is reasonable for law enforcement to take action to ensure the safety and well-being of the remaining children in the family.
Urfan Sharif and Beinash Batool’s abrupt departure from the UK following Sara’s death raised suspicions about their involvement. Pakistani authorities may have felt it necessary to investigate their potential role in the tragedy and ascertain the safety of the other children in their care.
Muhammad Sharif’s initial denial of contact with his son and the family’s whereabouts also raised concerns about his involvement or knowledge of the situation. This could have prompted police to investigate further.
The primary concern of the authorities should be the welfare of the children. If there were genuine concerns about their safety, it would be reasonable to take them into protective custody while the circumstances surrounding Sara’s death were being investigated.
Pakistani police have been collaborating with international partners, including Interpol, to determine the next steps in this case. This demonstrates a commitment to ensuring a thorough and impartial investigation.
Beinash denied in the video that the schoolgirl fell down the stairs and broke her neck, claiming that this statement was spread by a Pakistani media outlet.
She added that the family was willing to cooperate with British authorities and was prepared to “fight our case in court.”
Surrey Police said shortly after the family’s video was published that it was working with Interpol, the British Foreign Office and the National Crime Agency to determine next steps.
Allegations of Harassment
Muhammad Sharif and his family have accused the police of harassment, illegal detention of family members, and raiding their homes. They have also alleged that the police have fabricated cases against them to add further pressure. However, the police have vehemently denied these allegations.
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