Pakistani police attempt to arrest father, stepmother and uncle of murdered Sara Sharif (10)

Sara Sharif
Age: 10
Murdered: August 2023
Residence: Horsell, Surrey
Origin: Pakistan/UK
Children: She was a child herself
Suspects: Father Malik Urfan Sharif (41), stepmother Beinash Batool (29), uncle Faisal Malik (28)

On August 8, Malik Urfan Sharif booked plane tickets for the following day, arranging a one-way flight to Islamabad, Pakistan, for himself, his girlfriend Beinash Batool, his brother Faisal Malik, and five children.

Upon arriving in Islamabad, Urfan Sharif contacted the UK emergency number and informed an officer that they should proceed to his residence.

During the early morning hours of August 10, the lifeless body of 10-year-old Sara Sharif was discovered at Urfan Sharif's home in Horsell, Surrey. Sara's body exhibited signs of a violent death. The English police are collaborating with Interpol and Pakistani authorities to apprehend Sara's father, stepmother, and uncle.

What is an honour killing?

An honour killing is a murder in the name of honour. If a brother murders his sister to restore family honour, it is an honour killing. According to activists, the most common reasons for honour killings are as the victim:

refuses to cooperate in an arranged marriage.
wants to end the relationship.
was the victim of rape or sexual assault.
was accused of having a sexual relationship outside of marriage.

Human rights activists believe that 100,000 honour killings are carried out every year, most of which are not reported to the authorities and some are even deliberately covered up by the authorities themselves, for example because the perpetrators are good friends with local policemen, officials or politicians. Violence against girls and women remains a serious problem in Pakistan, India, Afghanistan, Iraq, Syria, Iran, Serbia and Turkey.