Forensic, NADRA reports confirm their alleged presence during Radio Pakistan attack
PESHAWAR:
Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi and four former provincial ministers have been formally nominated as accused in the case of the attack on Radio Pakistan during the violent protests that erupted in the city on May 9 and 10, 2023, following the arrest of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder and chairman Imran Khan.
The investigation officer of the case submitted a detailed report before the Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) on Thursday, stating that the presence of the five individuals at the scene and their alleged involvement in the incident had been confirmed through scientific evidence.
The hearing was conducted by ATC Judge Wali Muhammad Khan. Radio Pakistan’s counsel Shabbir Hussain Gigyani and investigation officer Khushhal Khan appeared before the court.
According to the investigation officer, the probe into the May 9 events has been completed in the light of reports received from the Punjab Forensic Science Agency and the National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA). Both agencies examined videos and photographs of the incident that were sent to them on the court’s earlier orders. The reports confirmed that Chief Minister Sohail Afridi, Taimur Saleem Jhagra, Kamran Bangash, Irfan Saleem and Aamir Chamkani were present at the Radio Pakistan premises when the building was attacked and property damaged.
After receiving the forensic and NADRA findings, investigators reviewed the available evidence. The Director of Radio Pakistan subsequently recorded a statement nominating the five individuals as accused in the case.
When the court inquired about the timeline for submitting the formal challan (charge sheet), the investigation officer requested additional time to prepare the document in light of the new reports. He informed the court that the complete challan would be filed through either the special prosecutor or the district public prosecutor as soon as it was ready.
Counsel for Radio Pakistan, Shabbir Hussain Gigyani, told the court that the police report from Thana Sharqi also recorded the presence of the accused at the site. He noted that more than 100 PTI workers, in addition to the chief minister, have already been nominated in the same case relating to the arson and damage to the Radio Pakistan building and its property on May 9 and 10, 2023. Their trials are under way, and further investigation remains pending.
The Anti-Terrorism Court directed the prosecution to submit the complete challan by September 28 and adjourned the proceedings until that date.
The May 9-10 violence in Peshawar formed part of the widespread unrest that followed Imran Khan’s arrest. Several government and media installations across the country came under attack during the protests. The Radio Pakistan case has remained under investigation for more than three years, with authorities relying on video footage, photographic evidence and forensic analysis to identify those allegedly involved.
With the latest forensic and NADRA confirmations now on record, the nomination of the chief minister and the four former ministers marks a significant development in the long-running case. The submission of the complete challan by the end of this month is expected to pave the way for the next stage of legal proceedings against the newly named accused.