Australia's expat community is reeling after a nine-year-old girl was killed and two family members seriously injured in a shooting involving Pakistan police, highlighting concerns about safety for foreign visitors to the country. The tragedy occurred on Wednesday night when a rental car belonging to the Perth-based family, who were visiting relatives in Punjab province, came under fire.
Local reports suggest that a robbery had taken place nearby, with two individuals on a motorcycle targeting a local driver. A police officer reportedly spotted the robbers fleeing and opened fire on what was believed to be their getaway vehicle – mistakenly targeting the family's car instead.
The young girl was rushed to hospital but tragically died from her injuries, while her father and brother sustained serious wounds. The mother, who was also in the vehicle, escaped unharmed. Australian authorities have confirmed that they are providing consular assistance to the family, with a spokesperson expressing their deepest condolences.
Asim Chaudhry, general secretary of the Pakistani Association of Western Australia, described the incident as "shocking" and highlighted the close ties between Australian and Pakistani expat communities in Western Australia. He noted that the family had recently returned from a pilgrimage to Mecca, further underscoring their faith community's sense of loss.
The incident raises serious questions about police conduct and the safety protocols in place for foreign visitors to Pakistan. An investigation into the circumstances surrounding the shooting is expected to be launched by Pakistani authorities, amid growing concerns about tourist safety in the region.