Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has stated that Australia expects a thorough and transparent investigation into the fatal shooting of a nine-year-old Perth girl, Hania Ahmed, who was killed when Pakistani police mistook her family for armed robbers. The incident occurred late Wednesday night in the Punjab province of Chakwal, where Hania was visiting relatives with her parents and brother.
Prime Minister Expresses Condolences
“My heart goes out to the family and friends, and indeed the Pakistan-Australian community will be really feeling this,” Albanese said. “A nine-year-old girl visiting Pakistan with her family should have been a time of joy.” The Prime Minister emphasized that “Australia expects” a proper investigation into what he described as a “dire” incident, which also left Hania’s 11-year-old brother and 39-year-old father, Adeel Ahmed, injured.
“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,” Albanese stated. “Australia expects there to be transparency and a proper investigation of these circumstances.”
Details of the Incident
Hania Ahmed was killed when police opened fire on the family’s rental car while hunting suspects involved in an armed hold-up. According to a statement from the Punjab Police’s Crime Control Department (CCD), officers intervened after armed robbers stopped the family’s vehicle and took them at gunpoint. Authorities alleged that the suspects shot at police first, leading to an exchange of gunfire.
“In the ensuing chaos, the concerned police officer mistakenly assumed that the suspects were attempting to flee in the victims’ vehicle and opened fire with his weapon,” the CCD said. “As a result of this erroneous decision, Hania tragically lost her life, while her father and brother were injured.”
Police Officer Arrested
The siblings’ mother, who was reportedly unable to speak for days, was not harmed in the shooting. The CCD described the incident as “a complete deviation from our established standard operating procedures and the legal principles governing the use of force.” One officer involved has been suspended, formally arrested, and remanded to judicial custody. Their weapon and spent shell casings have been collected for processing.
“We recognise that our primary duty is the protection of human life,” the CCD said, adding that a “thorough, impartial investigation to ensure that justice is served” is underway. Reports from Pakistan indicate that the suspects were killed in a separate encounter with police.
Community in Mourning
Hania lived with her family in Kewdale, where the local community has been left in shock. “She was a very happy, bubbly girl, very friendly,” said Abdullah Khan, principal of the Australian Islamic College Perth. “We are all in a state of shock.” Teachers and classmates held a service for Hania on Friday, with many students devastated and still believing she will return to class.
“It’s just really tragic at the moment, especially for the family. It’s been horrific,” one parent said. Hania was laid to rest in a funeral in Pakistan last week. WA Attorney-General Tony Buti called it “a real tragic situation,” while the Pakistani Association of WA expressed the community’s mourning and offered support to the family. Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade is providing consular assistance.
