"We are deeply saddened by this tragedy."
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has urged Pakistan to carry out an inquiry after a nine-year-old Australian girl was fatally shot by a police officer while holidaying with her family in Pakistan.
Hania Ahmed was travelling with her family in Chakwal, in Punjab province, when they were robbed at gunpoint while inside a rental car late on June 10.
The family, from Perth, were reportedly taken hostage during the incident before events escalated into a fatal exchange of gunfire.
Punjab Police said Crime Control Department officers intervened after the robbery, with suspects firing at police and triggering a shootout.
A statement read: “In the ensuing chaos, the officer involved mistakenly assessed that the suspects were attempting to flee in the victims’ vehicle and discharged his weapon.
“This erroneous decision resulted in the tragic death of… Hania and injuries to her father and brother.”
Her mother was unharmed.
According to Dawn, the robbers fled on a motorcycle and were later killed in a separate encounter with police.
Authorities said the officer involved had deviated from established standard operating procedures governing the use of force. He has since been suspended, formally arrested, and remanded in judicial custody.
His weapon and spent shell casings have been collected as part of the ongoing forensic investigation.
Police have promised a “thorough, impartial investigation to ensure that justice is served”, adding:
“We recognise that our primary duty is the protection of human life, and any failure to adhere to the principle of ‘minimum force’ is treated with the highest level of legal and departmental accountability.
“We are deeply saddened by this tragedy. While our personnel operate in high-risk environments, there is no justification for a departure from our protocols.”
Speaking in Canberra, Albanese said the incident required full transparency and proper scrutiny:
“These circumstances do need to be examined. They need to be examined in a transparent way, so that everyone can know, the family, most importantly, but others as well.
“Australia expects there to be transparency and a proper investigation of these circumstances.
“My heart goes out to the family and friends, and indeed the Pakistani Australian community will be really feeling this today.
“A nine-year-old girl visiting Pakistan with her family should have been a time of joy.”
Hania was a student at Australian Islamic College at Kewdale in Perth’s east. The school said she was remembered as a “happy, bubbly, friendly girl” and held a special assembly while also offering counselling support to students and staff.
Executive principal Abdullah Khan said he had spoken with Hania’s father, Adeel, and confirmed the school community would support the family upon their return to Australia.
He added: “He is devastated.
“He’s recovered well but the brother is still hospitalised and going through the treatment.”
Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade is providing consular assistance to the family.
Loading ...