Sara Sharif’s father claimed his 10-year-old daughter’s death was an accident, her grandfather has said.
The schoolgirl was found dead at her home in Woking on August 10, with post-mortem tests revealing that Sara had sustained “multiple and extensive injuries”.
Her father Urfan Sharif and her stepmother had travelled to Pakistan the previous day and are wanted for questioning.
In an interview with the BBC, Muhammad Sharif – the father of Urfan Sharif, Sara’s dad – said he saw his son after he arrived in Pakistan.
“It was an accident, he didn’t tell me how it happened,” said Mr Sharif.
After his son and wife arrived in Islamabad on August 9, Mr Sharif confirmed he did see them when Urfan travelled to Jhelum to visit his relatives.
Asked why Urfan came to to Pakistan if the death was an accident, Muhammad replied: “Because of fear.
“His daughter died and when you go under so much trauma, obviously you can’t think properly.”
Surrey Police have launched several appeals for information around Sara’s death and are currently working alongside Pakistani authorities, Interpol and the National Crime Agency.
Her body was found at her family’s address in Hammond Road during the early hours of the morning after her father called 999 from Pakistan.
More follows on this breaking news story