Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has called for a transparent investigation into the fatal shooting of nine-year-old Australian girl Hania Ahmed in Pakistan, describing the circumstances surrounding her death as deeply troubling.
Hania, a Perth schoolgirl, was killed while visiting relatives in Chakwal, in Pakistan’s Punjab province, after police allegedly mistook her family’s rental vehicle for that of armed robbers fleeing a crime scene.
Speaking in Canberra on Monday, Albanese said Australian authorities expected a full and transparent inquiry into the incident.
“Australia expects there to be transparency and a proper investigation of these circumstances. 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 said.
“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.”
According to local police, the family was held at gunpoint by armed robbers while sitting in their rental car outside a relative’s home late on 10 June. Officers responding to the robbery exchanged fire with the suspects after they allegedly opened fire first.
Police said that during the chaos, an officer mistakenly believed the robbers were escaping in the family’s vehicle and opened fire.
“In the ensuing chaos, the officer involved mistakenly assessed that the suspects were attempting to flee in the victims’ vehicle and discharged his weapon,” Punjab Police said in a statement.
“This erroneous decision resulted in the tragic death of Hania and injuries to her father and brother.”
However, Hania’s father, Adeel Ahmed, has disputed the police account, claiming officers opened fire before the robbers did.
“Firing was started by police at first, not by thieves,” he told SBS Urdu.
“CCD personnel chased us and fired at us. They were chasing our car.”
Ahmed said his daughter suffered multiple gunshot wounds and died before reaching hospital. He has called for an independent investigation and accountability for those involved.
The officer who discharged the weapon has been suspended, arrested and placed in judicial custody. Punjab Police said forensic evidence, including the officer’s firearm and spent cartridges, had been secured as part of the investigation.
“We are deeply saddened by this tragedy,” Punjab Police said.
“While our personnel operate in high-risk environments, there is no justification for a departure from our protocols.”
Authorities have also established a joint investigation team to review the circumstances of the shooting.
The incident has shocked both Australia and Pakistan.
Hania was a Year 4 student at the Australian Islamic College in Perth. School principal Abdullah Khan remembered her as a cheerful and popular student.
“She was very friendly, bubbly and very social,” Khan said.
“She had lots of friends and was loved by everyone.”
The school has offered counselling support to students and staff, while the Australian Government is providing consular assistance to the family.
Hania’s father and older brother remain recovering from their injuries, while community leaders in Australia have expressed support for the grieving family as investigations continue.
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