A legal advocacy organization has urged authorities to classify the Chakwal shooting case as terrorism, following the tragic death of a nine-year-old girl and injuries to her father and brother. The family, returning from Australia, was attacked in the incident.
The Judicial Activism Panel, through Advocate Muhammad Azhar Siddique, has called for anti-terrorism provisions to be incorporated into the FIR and demanded a transparent investigation. Their letter was addressed to Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, Punjab Governor Sardar Saleem Haider, the Crime Control Department (CCD), and other officials involved.
It highlighted that the young girl was killed and her family members wounded in firing allegedly carried out by CCD personnel. The letter also referenced a pending petition before the Lahore High Court challenging the establishment of the CCD.
The panel requested the creation of a Joint Investigation Team (JIT) to thoroughly examine the case, protection for the affected family, and preservation of all CCTV footage related to the incident. Additionally, it called for forensic analysis of weapons and ammunition used, and insisted that all evidence and legal documents be shared with the victim’s family. The letter warned that failure to comply would lead to the matter being brought before the Lahore High Court.
In a significant development, the demand for terrorism charges follows the fatal shooting of nine-year-old Australian girl Hania Ahmed, who was visiting relatives in Chakwal from Perth. Punjab police reported that armed robbers intercepted the family’s rental vehicle late on Wednesday night, taking them hostage. CCD officers responded and engaged the suspects, who fired at police.
Authorities stated that a CCD officer mistakenly believed the suspects were escaping in the family’s vehicle and opened fire, resulting in Hania’s death and injuries to her father, Adeel Ahmed, and brother. Her mother escaped unharmed. Police later admitted that the officer’s actions violated standard operating procedures and legal use-of-force principles. The officer was suspended, arrested, and remanded to judicial custody while the investigation continues.
Investigators have confiscated the weapon used and other forensic evidence. The suspects were reportedly killed in a separate police encounter. Punjab police have committed to a transparent and impartial inquiry, emphasizing that any misuse of force will face strict legal and departmental consequences.
The shooting has caused sorrow in both Pakistan and Australia. Hania, a Year 4 student at the Australian Islamic College in Perth, was remembered as a cheerful and well-liked child. The school has provided counseling support to students and staff in the aftermath.
Australian officials have extended consular support to the family, while community groups in Western Australia have requested privacy as the family mourns the loss.
