UK PM says 'questions need to be answered' over 'shocking' murder of Sara Sharif

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer emphasised the need for protection for children being homeschooled while expressing his dismay over the tragic death of 10-year-old Sara Sharif, who was brutally murdered by her father and stepmother.

According to the English media, new details have emerged regarding Sara Sharif’s case, revealing that the family had repeatedly interacted with social services and the courts concerning the potential risk of harm to Sara at home.

However, despite mentioning these risks, the charges of abuse by Urfan against Sara and her siblings were never substantiated in court.

On Thursday, Keir Starmer called Sara's murder "awful" and "shocking," adding, "Obviously, there are going to be questions that need to be answered in relation to this case."

Criticism is mounting over the failure of social services to identify and take timely action on Sara's ordeal, following her tragic death.

It must be noted that Sara's teachers at school witnessed some bruises on her face and reported her to social services, but no action was taken.

Sara started wearing a scarf to hide the marks of abuse and was later withdrawn from school by her family, but the authorities failed to notice these alarming developments.

Many are urging the government to introduce reforms in child social care to ensure better protection and strict safeguards for children.

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.

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.

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.

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.