Father of Australian girl shot dead in Pakistan calls for justice
The father of a nine-year-old girl from Perth who was shot dead by a police officer in Pakistan is calling for justice as the officer accused of killing her faces court.
Hania Ahmed was killed in Pakistan’s capital Lahore on June 10 after local police officers pursuing armed robbers had mistaken the hire car she was in for the getaway car.
Adeel Ahmed, the father of Australian girl Hania Ahmed, nine,shot dead in Pakistan is calling for justice. 9News
Footage showed a white Toyota hire car that the family of four was in littered with bullet holes. 9News
One officer opened fire on the rented Toyota, killing the girl and seriously injuring her brother and her father Adeel.
Footage showed a white Toyota hire car that the family of four was in littered with bullet holes.
Her father has claimed offices were the first to fire shots.
“They fired a lot at the car, the brakes of our car failed, they fired a lot at us,” Adeel told SBS.
“My daughter had three to four wounds on her body and she died on the scene.”
Call for full probe into shooting
The Australian government has called for a transparent investigation.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said the circumstances around the girl’s death should face a transparent and proper investigation.
“My heart goes out to the family and friends, and indeed the Pakistan-Australian community will be really feeling this today,” he told reporters today.
“A nine-year-old girl visiting Pakistan with her family should have been a time of joy, and 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.”
Police officer arrested
In a lengthy statement, Punjab police said the officer has been arrested and will face a court of law, describing their actions as a “grave deviation” from the force’s conduct.
“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,” a police spokesperson said.
The police officer accused of killing Hania has been arrested. 9News
“We are conducting a thorough, impartial investigation to ensure that justice is served.
“(Crime Control Department) remains steadfast in its duty to protect the public and will continue to hold its personnel to the highest standards of professional conduct.
“The (Crime Control Department) reiterates its unwavering support for the victims’ family and its dedication to an expeditious legal conclusion to this case.”
Local media reported the family, from the Perth suburb of Kewdale, were mistaken for armed robbers police had been chasing.
It’s reported an officer witnessed the family being robbed by two thieves on a motorbike and went to get a gun.
When he returned, he saw the Ahmed family speeding off as Adeel tried to get his family to safety.
The officer mistakenly thought it was a getaway car and gave chase.
Adeel was also hurt and needed surgery. Hania’s mother, Dr Sidra Khan, was uninjured.
Local media reported the family was mistaken for armed robbers police had been chasing. 9News
The family was travelling for an Islamic pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia and were visiting Pakistan to celebrate with relatives.
They’ll return to Australia next month.
School remembers student
Australian Islamic College school principal Abdullah Khan said the surviving family are “in a state of shock and disbelief”.
“It’s an extremely tragic event that has happened to this innocent girl and the family,” he said yesterday.
Hania and her brother are students at Perth Islamic College in Kewdale.
Support is being offered to staff and students at Hania’s school, where staff say she was a “happy, bubbly student”.
A special assembly was held on Friday in memory of the Year 4 student.
“This news is very shocking, especially the death of the nine-year-old,” Pakistani Association WA general secretary Asim Chaudhry told 9News.
Part of the shooting was captured on video. 9News
WA Attorney-General Tony Buti said his “thoughts are with the family”.
The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade has confirmed it is providing consular assistance to the family.
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