Australia has granted permanent residency to cab driver Rehmat Pasha in recognition of his courage during the deadly Bondi Beach shooting in Sydney on December 14, 2025.
Pasha, 37, originally from Hyderabad, risked his own safety during the attack to help people caught in the violence. He has also been nominated for several bravery awards for his actions.
The Bondi Beach shooting drew international attention after a father-son duo with links to Hyderabad were identified in connection with the attack. Amid the tragedy, Pasha’s response became one of the stories of courage that emerged from the incident.
Reports said tourists were spending time at Bondi Beach when two armed attackers opened fire, causing panic among visitors who rushed to find safety. Pasha, who was at the scene, managed to avoid the gunfire before choosing to help those who had been injured.
He carried seriously wounded victims to ambulances and remained with people who were distressed until emergency services arrived. His actions have been credited with helping save between 18 and 20 lives during the attack.
Australian authorities later granted Pasha permanent residency, with applications for his wife and three children also being processed so they can settle with him in Australia.
The cap he wore while helping victims is set to be displayed at a Sydney museum as part of the record of the incident. His bravery has received recognition from communities in Australia and India, as well as through nominations for formal awards.
The aftermath of the attack also affected Pasha personally. Reports said he received treatment to deal with the psychological impact of the incident and later found it difficult to continue working as a cab driver because of the trauma he experienced.
The two people accused of carrying out the attack, Sajid Akram and Naveed Akram, have been reported to have links to Hyderabad. Sajid is reported to have moved to Australia in 1998 and was not known to have a criminal record while living in Hyderabad. Authorities continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the attack.
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