The December 2025 attack at Sydney’s Bondi Beach brought global infamy to Hyderabad after a father and son from the city were named key accused in the shooting that left at least 15 people dead. But, just a stone’s throw away, another Hyderabadi emerged as one of the tragedy’s unsung heroes, scripting a story of extraordinary courage and compassion.Cab driver Rehmat Pasha (37) not only dodged bullets but rushed to the side of several grievously injured, ferried them to waiting ambulances and saved at least 18-20 lives that day. He even patiently lent an ear to trauma-stricken visitors left bleeding at the beach, putting aside his own shock and suffering. Pasha’s selfless act has now been rewarded, with Australia granting him permanent residency. His wife and three children will join him soon.Australian authorities have also decided to display at the Sydney Museum the cap he wore that day, apart from nominating him for multiple bravery awards.But even as Pasha has humbly accepted the honours, none of that has erased the horror of Dec 14. He still vividly remembers every minute of that busy Sunday, which pushed him into long-term therapy and made him temporarily incapable of holding a job.“People say my life has changed for the better. But images from that day still haunt me,” Pasha told TOI, breaking down several times during a recent interaction in Hyderabad. He is back home to visit his family. Throughout those hours on Bondi Beach, Pasha said he never truly processed what had happened. Reality struck only later.“That’s when I broke down,” he said. And the trauma stayed with him long after the attack. Doctors diagnosed him with severe PTSD and declared him temporarily unfit for work. “I still wake up after 3-4 hours. I hear ambulance sirens in my dreams. I see people running in blood-soaked clothes. I hear children crying.”Australian govt stepped in with financial support, medical treatment and counselling. During this difficult period, Pasha met Abdul Syed Javeed, an immigration lawyer and founder of the Indian Youth Committee of Australia, also from Hyderabad. “What he did is beyond courage and recognition,” said Javeed, who recommended Pasha’s name to Australia’s department of home affairs.Soon afterwards, Pasha was called by minister Tony Burke and told he’d receive permanent residency. His wife’s and children’s applications are also being processed.Pasha has also been nominated for a govt bravery award, while Uber – the company he was working for – has recognised his courage.He has also received many job offers. “I still have to decide what I want to do after I feel a little more stable,” he said, regaining his composure and going on to share how he’s still in touch with families of survivors. They invite him to prayer meetings, call to check on him, and meet him whenever they can. “Every time I meet them, some cry, some bless me, some simply hug me.”
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