Peshawar: An anti terrorism court in Peshawar on Wednesday issued arrest warrants for former Khyber Pakhtunkhwa chief minister Sohail Afridi and four other PTI leaders in connection with the attack on the Radio Pakistan building during protests in May 2023.
Judge Wali Mohammad Khan ordered the warrants after police submitted a supplementary charge-sheet naming five additional suspects who had not been arrested. The court directed that warrants be issued under Section 204 of the Code of Criminal Procedure and adjourned proceedings until November 4.
Alongside Afridi, the supplementary charge sheet names former provincial ministers Taimoor Saleem Jhagra and Kamran Bangash, PTI Peshawar district president Irfan Saleem and party activist Amir Khan Chamkani.
None of the five had been named in the original first information report (FIR) or the initial charge-sheet. Afridi, who previously served as KP chief minister, was rendered unable to exercise his office following the imposition of governor's rule in the province.
Forensic findings form basis of new charges
The additional nominations follow an examination of video footage and photographs by the Punjab Forensic Science Agency (PFSA) and the National Database and Registration Authority (Nadra).
According to a report submitted by investigating officer DSP Khushal Khan, Radio Pakistan Peshawar station director Tufail Ahmad recorded a supplementary statement identifying the five men as suspects after receiving the forensic findings.
The PFSA reported that facial features of individuals appearing in the footage matched those of the newly nominated suspects. Nadra also identified identity card numbers associated with the individuals and described the submitted photographs as probable matches.
The forensic examination had been ordered on December 12, 2025, following an application filed by lawyer Shabbir Hussain Gigyani, who represents the Pakistan Broadcasting Corporation. However, the findings remain contested.
While Gigyani maintained that the footage showed individuals involved in the Radio Pakistan attack, PTI representatives questioned whether the clips were authentic and whether they related to the incident under investigation.
The forensic findings have therefore become central to the dispute over the additional nominations. The issuance of arrest warrants does not establish the accused individuals' guilt.
Background to the Radio Pakistan attack
The case stems from unrest in Peshawar on May 10, 2023, following the arrest of former prime minister and PTI founder Imran Khan. Protests erupted in several parts of Pakistan after Khan was detained in Islamabad. In Peshawar, the Radio Pakistan building was attacked during the demonstrations, leading to criminal proceedings against individuals accused of involvement.
The latest supplementary charge-sheet expands the investigation to five PTI figures who were not included in the original case documents, more than three years after the incident.The dispute over the video evidence is significant because the prosecution's decision to nominate the additional suspects relies on forensic comparisons and a subsequent statement by the station director.
During Wednesday's hearing, Gigyani appeared on behalf of the Pakistan Broadcasting Corporation, while public prosecutor Manzoor Alam Khan represented the state. Advocate Ali Zaman appeared for the accused.
Separate proceedings concerning Afridi
The arrest warrants come as a separate petition concerning Afridi remains pending before the Peshawar High Court. The petition challenges his alleged unlawful detention or enforced disappearance, raising a separate legal question about his whereabouts and custody.
The anti terrorism court has not determined the guilt of the five newly nominated suspects. Its latest order concerns the issuance of warrants to secure their appearance in proceedings. The case is scheduled to resume on November 4, when the court is expected to consider further proceedings against the accused.
