“I did nothing wrong in hiding his family at my home,” says Pakistani friend of Sara Sharif’s father

A Pakistani friend of Urfan Sharif, the father convicted of torturing his 10-year-old daughter Sara Sharif to death, admitted to knowing about Sara's death and the family's fugitive status. However, he justified his actions, saying he couldn’t leave them helpless.

Urfan Sharif and his wife, Beinash  Batool, were found guilty by a UK court of subjecting Sara to two years of brutal abuse, resulting in her tragic death.

The couple had fled to Pakistan with their other children in an attempt to evade UK authorities, leaving Sara's body in their Woking, Surrey, home last year. They are due to be sentenced on December 17.

Sara’s uncle, Faisal Malik, was also convicted, though only for causing or allowing the death of a child, rather than murder.

Hiding in Pakistan

The family’s Pakistani friend, Rasikh Munir, sheltered them in his house in a suburban area of Sialkot for weeks. Rasikh admitted that he was aware of Sara’s tragic death and knew the UK police were seeking the three fugitives. Despite this, he said, “Whoever did this to Sara should be punished because it is a grave injustice.”

When asked why he knowingly provided refuge, Rasikh told the BBC, “The case was in the UK and had nothing to do with Pakistan. If this matter were in Pakistan, I might not have taken such a big risk.”

He added, “I helped Urfan and the young children. If I hadn’t, they would have been completely helpless. I took care of the children out of compassion. They were my people. If something bad had happened to them, who would have been responsible?”

As police pressure intensified, the family decided to return to the UK. Rasikh facilitated their journey by booking plane tickets for Urfan, Beinash , and Faisal, even though there was an active Interpol notice against them.

He claimed he helped them bypass several police checkpoints before they were ultimately arrested upon arrival at Gatwick Airport.

Rasikh revealed that this was not the first time Urfan and his family had visited his home. Years earlier, Sara had accompanied them, and Rasikh recalled her as “a very good girl.”

During their time in hiding, Rasikh transported the family from Sialkot to Jhelum and travelled with them to other areas without facing any action by the police.

Meanwhile, a local court in Pakistan allowed Sara’s five siblings to stay temporarily with a relative, though legal battles over their custody continue. Surrey County Council is attempting to bring the siblings back to the UK, but the family is resisting repatriation.

Sara’s tragic death

Sara Sharif’s body was discovered in her Woking home on August 10, 2023. The prosecution revealed that she had suffered prolonged and severe abuse.

Born on January 11, 2013, in Slough, Sara was the daughter of Urfan Sharif, who had moved to the UK from Pakistan for education.

He married Sara’s mother, Olga Domin, in 2009 before later living with his second wife, Beinash Batool, along with their five children and his brother Faisal Malik.