On 15th June (Monday), Anthony Albanese, the prime minister of Australia has demanded an open investigation into the shooting death of a young Australian girl who was on vacation with her family in Pakistan. Her life was ended at the hands of a police officer.
On 10th June (Wednesday), armed robbers took 9-year-old Hania Ahmed and her family hostage at gunpoint inside their rental car in the Dhudial area of Chakwal in Punjab province at around 11:45 pm. They had gone there to meet a relative. According to authorities, the accused opened fire on a cop, sparking a firefight.
They claimed that the girl was killed while her father and older brother were injured after a police officer “mistakenly” discharged his gun while believing that the perpetrators were escaping in the vehicle. The girl’s father, however, informed that the cops started to shoot first. “Firing was started by police at first, not by thieves,” he told SBS Urdu.
Albanese stated, “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.”
The family is receiving consular support from Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. Meanwhile, Punjab Police alleged, “The concerned officer was suspended from duty and taken into custody on the same day. He was subsequently formally arrested and presented in court, from where he has been remanded to judicial custody in jail.”
It added, “Upon the request of the affected girl’s father, an FIR was immediately registered. Forensic evidence, including the officer’s weapon and the spent shell casings, has been securely collected and sent for processing.” A joint investigation team has also been formed by the authorities to examine the shooting’s circumstances.
Hania’s father, Adeel Ahmed, mentioned that jewellery was stolen from them by the dacoits. The FIR also revealed that the assailants opened fire after hearing a gunshot during the incident. According to Ahmed, he tried to get away but the attackers continued to fire and pursued the four-wheeler. As a result, his daughter Hania and son Affan were severely hurt and were brought to the District Headquarters Hospital (DHQ). However, Hania passed away from her wounds.
پریس ریلیز
— Punjab Police Official (@OfficialDPRPP) June 14, 2026
کرائم کنٹرول ڈیپارٹمنٹ
لاہور، 14 جون 2026ء
10 جون کو مسلح ڈکیتی کی واردات کے خلاف کارروائی کے دوران پیش آنے والے ایک المناک واقعے میں ایک معصوم بچی کی جان چلی گئی۔ کرائم کنٹرول ڈیپارٹمنٹ سوگوار خاندان سے دلی تعزیت اور گہرے دکھ کا اظہار کرتا ہے۔ کرائم کنٹرول… pic.twitter.com/23CxsgmXPL
On the night of 11th June (Thursday), the robbers were killed in a different encounter with police after escaping on a motorbike.
