High Commissioner Zahid Hafeez Chaudhri meets Pakistani students after Sydney tragedy

Canberra: Pakistani High Commissioner to Australia Zahid Hafeez Chaudhri this week met Pakistani students at the Pakistan Consulate Sydney.

His visit came after the tragic fire incident of Haider Ali offering prayers for his soul.

“High Commissioner H.E. Zahid Hafeez Chaudhri met Pakistani students at the Pak Consulate Sydney following the tragic fire incident of Mr Haider Ali offering prayers for his soul. He highlighted the importance of awareness, communication & preparedness assuring support to students,” the Pakistani High Commission in Australia posted on X.

Haider Ali died after the e-bike he used to earn a living and build a better life in Australia exploded in the early hours last week.

Fire crews rushed to the scene at 5am and contained the fire to one bedroom, however, Ali was unable to escape.

Ali died while five others managed to escape the house fire in Guildford — in Western Sydney — which is believed to have been sparked by a lithium battery of an e-bike.

Now, his community is warning of the potential dangers of lithium batteries for all Australians.

“A very strong message to all Australians, please do not use any sort of substandard bikes which use lithium charging… please stay away from these charging things”, President of the Pakistan association of Australia Hamid Saroha said.

Bruce Mcpherson, a neighbour opposite the impacted house said neighbours saw him standing outside the home — used as a share house for students.

“I heard this almighty big bang, and I come out the back door in my bed attire, and there is just a great big plume of smoke pouring out the roof”, Mcpherson said.