The father of an Aussie girl shot dead by Pakistan police after his family was mistaken for thieves has rubbished claims by cops the real robbers opened fire first.

Hania Ahmed, 9, was travelling through Chakwal in Punjab with her father Adeel Ahmed, mother Dr Sidra Khan and brother Aafan to visit relatives on Wednesday. 

The family, who are from the Perth suburb of Kewdale, were confronted by two robbers as they arrived at the home of Dr Khan’s uncle, Ali Ejaz.

The robbers demanded jewellery and the family handed over about $7,500 worth of their belongings, Mr Ejaz told local media.

The incident was witnessed by a police officer who exchanged fire with the two suspects before they fled on a motorcycle. 

As the family drove away, more police arrived and opened fire, mistakenly believing it was the robbers’ getaway car. 

Hania was killed while Mr Ahmed and Aafan were wounded. 

Police claimed the gunfight began after the robbers opened fire, but Mr Ahmed has challenged the claim in a shocking twist.

The father of an Aussie girl shot dead by Pakistan police after his family was mistaken for thieves has rubbished claims by cops the real robbers opened fire first (pictured, Hania Ahmed)

‘Firing was started by [police] at first, not by thieves,’ he told SBS Urdu.

‘CCD [Crime Control Department] personnel chased us and fired at us. They were chasing our car.’

Mr Ahmed claimed two or three officers began shooting at their car as they drove away.

‘I was driving and was able to dodge them by taking turns, therefore they left us otherwise they would have murdered all of us,’ he said.

Abdullah Khan, principal of the Australian Islamic College where Hania was a student, said he hoped for a ‘fair investigation’ into the shooting. 

‘Obviously we can’t get little Hania back. That’s a very tragic loss for the family and for the community,’ he told ABC Radio Perth.

‘She was a happy, bubbly, friendly girl who used to befriend people quite easily, and she was excited to come to school every day. 

‘The mum, in particular, was in a state of extreme shock, and was not even able to speak for a couple of days.’ 

The family, who are from the Perth suburb of Kewdale, were confronted by two robbers as they arrived at the home of Dr Khan’s uncle, Ali Ejaz

Hania Ahmed, 9, was travelling through Chakwal in Punjab with her father Adeel Ahmed, mother Dr Sidra Khan and brother Aafan to visit relatives on Wednesday

Chakwal District Police said an officer had been arrested and an investigation launched into the matter.

‘To ensure a transparent and impartial inquiry into the incident, a Joint Investigation Team (JIT) has been established. The team is meticulously reviewing all aspects of the case,’ a spokesman said.

Punjab Police added the officer has been ‘suspended from service’.

‘The Department is maintaining daily communication with the affected family to provide updates on the investigation’s progress,’ a spokesman said.

‘The family has expressed satisfaction with the pace and transparency of the ongoing legal process.’