Australian PM seeks transparent inquiry into Chakwal shooting of girl

ISLAMABAD: Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has called for a transparent investigation into the killing of nine-year-old Hania Ahmed, who was shot when Punjab Crime Control Department personnel opened fire on her family’s vehicle in Chakwal after allegedly mistaking it for that of robbers.

Adeel Ahmed, 39, his wife Dr Sidra Khan, their daughter Hania Ahmed, 9, and son Aafan Ahmed, 10, came under fire during what was described as a robbery-related incident. Hania was killed at the scene, while Adeel and Aafan sustained critical injuries. Dr Khan was not hurt.

Australian media outlets including ABC, The Guardian and SBS reported on the case because the family are Australian nationals based in Perth and were in Pakistan on holiday when the incident took place.

Speaking to reporters in Canberra on Monday, Albanese said the matter should be thoroughly investigated by the authorities.

"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,"

He added:

Australia expects there to be transparency and a proper investigation of these circumstances.

Albanese also offered condolences to the family and their friends, and said the Pakistani-Australian community would be deeply affected by the incident.

"A nine-year-old girl visiting Pakistan with her family should have been a time of joy,"

Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade is providing consular assistance to the family. Western Australia Attorney General Tony Buti described the episode on Sunday as a tragic case of mistaken identity.

"Our thoughts and concerns are with the family and the Pakistani community that live in Western Australia,"

The Pakistani Association of Western Australia said the Ahmad family had asked for privacy at this stage.

"We are in contact with family as they are passing through this hard time,"

Developments in Chakwal case

Separately, two suspects linked to robberies on Wednesday night were killed in an encounter with CCD Chakwal, while a department official was arrested on charges of killing the minor girl and injuring her father and brother, according to officials.

A senior CCD official said the two men were involved in a series of robberies committed within three hours on Wednesday night and claimed they were the same suspects who had exchanged fire with CCD personnel while the Australian national family was being looted.

"Both the robbers were involved in a spree of robbery incidents occurred within three hours on Wednesday night. They were the same who got into a shootout with the personnel of CCD while looting an Australian national family,"

The first information report had initially not named the CCD official, but it was later amended to add Section 302, after which the official was arrested.