LAHORE (Web Desk) -Punjab Police and the Crime Control Department (CCD) on Thursday admitted responsibility for serious lapses in the fatal shooting of a nine-year-old girl in Chakwal, describing the incident as a case of “mistake” and pledging a transparent investigation.
The incident occurred earlier this month when CCD personnel allegedly opened fire on a vehicle in Chakwal after mistakenly identifying it as belonging to suspected robbers. The shooting resulted in the death of nine-year-old Hania, while her father and brother sustained injuries.
Addressing a press conference, Punjab Inspector General of Police (IGP) Abdul Karim described the incident as deeply tragic and assured the public that a thorough inquiry would be conducted.
He said the investigation would independently determine the facts and place the negligence of those involved on record to ensure accountability through the legal system.
“No institution can earn public trust without acknowledging its mistakes,” the IGP said, stressing that those responsible would face legal consequences.
Punjab CCD Additional Inspector General (AIG) Sohail Zafar Chattha said the department would neither defend nor attempt to conceal the incident under any circumstances.
He acknowledged that the tragedy had caused embarrassment to both the CCD and Punjab Police and emphasised that public confidence in law enforcement remained a top priority.
“This is the time to learn from this criminal negligence and correct the mistakes that led to such a tragic loss of life,” Chattha said.
Both senior officials stated that inadequate training had played a significant role in the incident. According to them, the CCD officer involved failed to properly assess the situation, resulting in what they described as a major operational blunder.
They said a comprehensive plan had been developed to address shortcomings in training, operational procedures and capacity-building to reduce the likelihood of similar incidents in the future.
Chattha further stated that the police stood with the victim’s family and made it clear that the officer facing murder charges would not receive any institutional protection or sympathy.
Responding to questions from journalists, he said the challan against the arrested officer would be completed within a week and submitted to the court for further legal proceedings.
The press conference followed international attention surrounding the case after Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese called for a transparent investigation into the killing.
Albanese expressed condolences to Hania’s family and stressed the need for a detailed and impartial inquiry. He said the circumstances surrounding the incident must be fully examined so that the truth could be established and justice ensured.
The case has sparked widespread public concern and renewed debate over police accountability, operational standards and the use of force by law enforcement agencies in Pakistan.
