Anthony Albanese says Australia expects a proper and transparent investigation into the shooting death of an innocent Perth girl when Pakistan police mistook her family for armed thieves.

Hania Ahmed was with her parents and brother during a visit to see relatives in the Punjab province of Chakwal when she was killed by police who opened fire on their car late on Wednesday night.

“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 said “Australia expects” a proper investigation into the “dire” incident that also left the girl’s brother, 11, and father, Adeel Ahmed, 39, injured as well.

“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.

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

In a statement via Punjab Police, the Crime Control Department (CCD) said officers intervened after armed robbers stopped the family’s rental car and took them at gunpoint.

Authorities alleged the suspects shot at police first and “an exchange of gunfire took place”.

“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,” they said.

“As a result of this erroneous decision, … Hania tragically lost her life, while her father and brother were injured.”

Pakistan officer arrested over Perth’s girl’s death

The siblings’ mother, who was reportedly unable to speak for days, was not hurt in the shooting.

The CCD said the shooting “constitutes a complete deviation from our established standard operating procedures and the legal principles governing the use of force”.

Authorities said one officer involved has been suspended, formally arrested and remanded to judicial custody in jail.

Their weapon and spent shell casings were also collected and sent for processing.

“We recognise that our primary duty is the protection of human life,” the CCD said, adding it is conducting a “thorough, impartial investigation to ensure that justice is served”.

The suspects were killed in a separate encounter with police, according to reports in Pakistan.

Hania had lived with her family in Kewdale, where the local community has been left in shock

“She was a very happy, bubbly girl, very friendly,” Australian Islamic College Perth principal Abdullah Khan told 7NEWS.

“We are all in a state of shock.”

‘Tragic situation’

Teachers and classmates at the college held a service for Hania on Friday.

Parents say students are devastated, with many still believing she will return to class.

“It’s just really tragic at the moment, especially for the family. It’s been horrific,” one said.

Family and loved ones laid Hanie to rest in a funeral in Pakistan last week.

“It’s a real tragic situation,” WA Attorney-General Tony Buti said.

The Pakistani Association of WA said the community is in mourning and had offered its support for the family.

Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade is providing consular assistance to the family.

SOURCE: https://7news.com.au/news/anthony-albanese-says-australia-expects-transparency-after-perth-girl-hania-ahmed-killed-by-pakistan-police-c-22434330