LAHORE: The grandfather of Sara Sharif — a 10-year-old girl found dead in her UK home in August — has claimed that her five siblings currently under the Punjab government’s protection were not being treated properly, an allegation vehemently denied by the provincial child protection department.

The chairwoman of the Punjab Child Protection and Welfare Bureau, Sara Ahmad, strongly rejected the allegations of mistreatment, saying that all the five kids were kept separately and served food of their choice.

Sara Sharif’s parents are facing trial in London for her murder, whereas her grandfather in Pakistan is trying to get back her siblings’ custody. The kids — 12-year-old Nauman, 11-year-old twins Hina Sharif and Asma Sharif, four-year-old Ehsan and two-year-old Azlan — were handed over to the bureau in Lahore on a court order last month.

Ms Ahmed told Dawn that the kids were offered food of their choice at the facility and they were being looked after by special staff. “The British high commissioner has frequently visited the Child Protection Bureau in Lahore and has shown satisfaction with how the kids are being managed,” she said.

Dead girl’s grandfather, relatives allege five kids not taken care of properly

She said her department had even arranged pizzas and burgers regularly demanded by the children.

Ms Ahmed said Sara’s grandfather was also regularly visiting the kids on the court order and the allegations levelled by him or other relatives were baseless and against ground reality.

Sara Sharif was found dead with extensive injuries at her home in the Woking town, 32km southwest of London, on Aug 10.

Her father, Urfan Sharif, 41, his partner, Beinash Batool, 29, and his brother Faisal Malik were charged with Sara’s murder.

The issue of Sara’s siblings came to light when some relatives in Jhelum alleged on social media that the kids were not being looked after properly at the government facility in Lahore.

According to recent reports, Sara’s grandfather alleged that the kids were not being provided with proper care. He complained about the food quality and health condition of the five children, alleging that the staff at the protection bureau were not paying much attention to them.

Published in Dawn, October 8th, 2023