Sara Sharif’s dad seen for first time since 10-year-old’s death as stepmum says family will ‘co-operate’ with UK cops
SARA Sharif’s dad has been seen for the first time since her death in a video message.
The 10-year-old was found dead at a home in Woking, Surrey, on August 10 after her dad Urfan Sharif called 999 from Pakistan.
An international manhunt is now underway for him, his partner Beinash Batool and Sara’s uncle Faisal Malik.
Now a new video has shown Mr Sharif and Ms Batool sitting together as Ms Batool reads a statement.
In the shocking clip she revealed her family “are willing to cooperate with the UK authorities and fight our case in court.”
She said: “Firstly, I would like to talk about Sara. Sara’s death was an incident. Our family in Pakistan are severely affected by all that is going on.”
She added: “Imran [one of Mr Sharif’s brothers] did not give a statement that Sara fell down the stairs and broke her neck.
“This was spread through a Pakistani media outlet. I am very worried about Imran’s safety.”
She claims her family have gone into hiding as “everyone is scared for their safety.
Ms Batool continued: “The kids are unable to attend school as they’re afraid to leave the house. No one is leaving the house.
“The groceries have run out and there is no food for the kids as the adults are unable to leave their homes out of fear for safety.”
National Crime Agency cops have been working with Interpol and Pakistani authorities to track Urfan, 41, down.
It is understood the dad fled capital Islamabad with Beinash and Faisal on August 9 – the day before Sara was found dead.
Pakistan police previously said they found evidence the dad briefly returned to his family home in Jhelum.
They are now widening their search area for the on-the-run trio as the net closes in.
There is no extradition treaty between Pakistan and the UK, which would make it difficult to bring the suspects back for questioning.
Sara’s grandad Muhammad Sharif – the father of missing Urfan – said his son told him her death was an “accident”.