LONDON: British police on Friday released new pictures and renewed their appeal for information into the death of a 10-year-old girl, whose father will face trial for her murder.
Sara Sharif’s body was discovered at her family’s home in southern England on August 10.
A post-mortem examination revealed Sharif had sustained “multiple and extensive injuries” over a long period.
Her father, stepmother and uncle have been charged with murder and causing or allowing the death of a child.
They are expected to stand trial next autumn.
Surrey Police said they were releasing the new images “as part of our ongoing appeal for information to help us build a picture of her life prior to the discovery of her body.”
Police added that the photos “present Sara in the way we believe she may have dressed in the months prior to her death.”
“We are hoping that these images will prompt more people to come forward with information about her and her family.”
One of the pictures shows Sharif wearing a black hijab in what looks like a school photo and in the other she is wearing a blue hijab.
Sara’s father Urfan Sharif, 41, his partner Beinash Batool, 29, and his brother Faisal Malik, 28, traveled to Pakistan the day before her body was found.
An early morning emergency call alerting officers to Sara’s death was made from Pakistan by a man identifying himself as the father, according to detectives.
Following a month in the South Asian country, they returned to the UK on September 13 and were arrested on arrival at London’s Gatwick Airport.
They have been remanded in custody and are due to appear in court on December 1 for a plea hearing.
Their trial is due to begin on September 2, 2024 and is expected to last six weeks.
UK police release new images in fresh appeal for clues about British-Pakistani girl’s death
https://arab.news/vmc2e
UK police release new images in fresh appeal for clues about British-Pakistani girl’s death
- Surrey Police hope the release of images will prompt people to share information about Sara Sharif and her family
- UK authorities were alerted about her death by a call from Pakistan in which a man identified himself as her father
Pakistan consults banks on financial stability as Middle East conflict rattles global markets
- Finance minister says government monitoring global supply chains, energy markets amid regional tensions
- Banks pledge coordination with government and central bank to ensure uninterrupted financial services
KARACHI: Pakistan’s finance minister held consultations with the country’s banking sector on Wednesday to review potential economic risks from the escalating Middle East conflict and ensure financial stability, according to a government statement.
The virtual meeting between Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb and senior representatives of the Pakistan Banks’ Association (PBA) came as tensions involving the United States, Israel and Iran have driven volatility in global oil and financial markets, raising concerns for import-dependent economies such as Pakistan.
Islamabad has already faced pressure from rising fuel prices and potential supply disruptions in energy markets, prompting officials to closely monitor global developments and assess possible impacts on inflation, external accounts and broader macroeconomic stability.
“The discussion focused on the evolving economic and financial situation in light of prevailing regional developments and the importance of close coordination between the government, the State Bank of Pakistan, and the banking sector to ensure financial stability and uninterrupted financial services,” the finance ministry said in a statement after the minister's meeting with PBA officials.
Aurangzeb told banking leaders the government had established a high-level coordination mechanism involving key economic ministries and institutions to continuously review developments in global markets, particularly in supply chains and energy.
He said authorities were conducting regular scenario analysis to evaluate possible implications for inflation, external accounts and overall economic stability while ensuring the continuity of essential supplies.
“The government remains engaged with relevant stakeholders and international partners as part of its efforts to safeguard the country’s economic interests,” the minister said, according to the statement.
Aurangzeb also emphasized the importance of coordinated decision-making and operational resilience within the financial sector during periods of uncertainty, encouraging banks to continue supporting businesses and customers while maintaining responsible risk management.
PBA Chairman Zafar Masud briefed the finance minister on the banking sector’s internal consultations and preparedness measures in response to the evolving situation, the statement said.
Masud said the banking industry had set up a coordination framework for timely consultation and information sharing among financial institutions, aimed at ensuring the smooth functioning of financial services and payment systems.
He added that banks would remain in close engagement with the State Bank of Pakistan and other stakeholders while maintaining regular consultations within the industry to monitor developments and support financial market stability.
