The siblings of murdered schoolgirl Sara Sharif will not be returning to the UK.
Sara, 10, was found dead at her home in Woking, Surrey, on August 10, 2023.
Her father Urfan Sharif, stepmother Beinash Batool and uncle Faisal Malik took Sara’s siblings to Pakistan the day before her body was discovered.
The three adults were later convicted in connection with her death.
Mr Sharif and Ms Batool were jailed for life with minimum terms of 40 years and 33 years respectively after being found guilty of Sara's murder.
Mr Malik was convicted of causing or allowing her death and sentenced to 16 years in prison.
Surrey County Council has now confirmed it is withdrawing efforts to return the children from Pakistan.
Terence Herbert, the council’s chief executive, said: "Surrey County Council has done everything within our power to support the siblings and half-siblings of Sara Sharif in Pakistan.
"The children were made wards of the High Court and an order was sought to return the children to England.
"The High Court gave permission for the council to make an application to the high court in Lahore to seek to secure the return of the children and that application was made.
"The English court proceedings are about to come to an end, which means the Pakistan proceedings in Lahore have concluded."
Upon their arrival in Pakistan, the children were placed in the care of their paternal grandfather, Muhammad Sharif.
They were later taken into state care after being found by police during the search for Mr Sharif, Ms Batool and Mr Malik.
Sara’s siblings have since remained in Pakistan following lengthy legal proceedings.
A High Court order issued in December 2025 stated that, unless developments occurred or an application was made for an extension, proceedings regarding the children’s residence would be dismissed after six months.
That order has now expired.
A court order remains in place to protect their identities.
In an interview at the end of 2024, the children’s grandfather told The Sunday Times he would continue to fight for custody.
Muhammad Sharif said: "They are enrolled in a reputable school, and we ensure their safety by personally transporting them to and from school.
"I am their guardian and this is the safest place for them to live in, they have an association with me and they are not willing to leave me.
"We will win the case."
