Sara Sharif's grandfather wins permanent guardianship of her five siblings in Pakistan after years of legal battles

From the Newshound archive · first published 10 October 2026 · last updated 11 October 2026.

A Pakistani court has granted Muhammed Sharif, the paternal grandfather of murdered Sara Sharif, full guardianship of her five siblings, aged between four and 16, ending three years of legal limbo. The children, who told the judge they were comfortable and settled, will remain in Jhelum, Pakistan, retaining their British passports. Muhammed Sharif said he would ensure they received 'the best possible education and care' and help them 'return to a normal life'.

Surrey County Council had failed in June to return the children to England, where they had been made wards of court after Sara's 2023 murder.

Sara's father Urfan Sharif is serving a minimum of 40 years and stepmother Beinash Batool a minimum of 33 years for the killing, which a judge called the most appalling crime he had ever sat in judgment on.

Sara, 10, was hooded, burned, beaten with a cricket bat and metal pole, and strangled until her neck broke during a two-year campaign of torture before her body was found in Woking, Surrey.