Pakistani authorities are drawing closer to apprehending the father of the allegedly “murdered” Sara Sharif, as they trace the location of his mobile phone’s SIM card. The British father, Urfan Sharif, 41, along with his wife Beinash Batool, 29, and his brother Faisal Malik, 28, fled the United Kingdom a day prior to the discovery of their ten-year-old daughter Sara’s lifeless body in their Woking residence earlier this month. The international search for the trio, initiated by Surrey Police, is centered on their suspected involvement in Sara’s murder.
Investigators in Pakistan are confident that they will locate the fugitives within the coming “day or two” after conducting a nationwide search that involved raiding ten properties and interrogating members of Sharif’s family. The trio left the UK for Pakistan with one-way tickets worth £5,000 and were accompanied by five children ranging in age from one to thirteen. Sharif’s call to Surrey Police from Pakistan through the emergency number 999 led to the tragic discovery of Sara’s body in their family home on August 10.
The Pakistani authorities have made headway in their pursuit by identifying an active SIM card registered in Sharif’s name. This SIM card has been used recently in Jhelum, a city about 70 miles away from Islamabad. The police believe that Sharif, Batool, and Malik might be hiding in Jhelum, potentially with assistance from their relatives.
Authorities in Jhelum are confident about their proximity to apprehending Sharif, as they coordinate operations within and outside the city. Meanwhile, Surrey Police’s investigation has revealed that Sara suffered “multiple and extensive injuries” over an extended period of time, although the exact cause of death could not be established through a post-mortem examination.
The investigation into Sara’s life leading up to her death has been expanded, with attention focused on her experiences in the months and days prior to the incident. Reports have emerged that Sara had been seen with cuts and bruises on her face at her school. Additionally, it was noted that she had been taken out of school by her parents following bullying incidents related to her wearing of the hijab.
Urfan Sharif’s marital history includes three marriages. He first married a cousin in Pakistan before arriving in the UK on a student visa. He subsequently divorced his first wife, then married Sara’s mother, Olga Domin, with whom he had an elder son. After divorcing Olga, he married Beinash, who is from Luton, and together they have three children.
This report is based on information from Abul Taher, Security Correspondent for The Mail On Sunday, and includes additional reporting by Piriyanga Thirunimalan.