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PESHAWAR: The Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) on Saturday dismissed two contempt of court petitions filed over the delay in presenting the challan in cases related to violent protests following the arrest of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan on May 9 and 10, 2023, including the attack and arson at the Radio Pakistan building.
During the hearing of the case by ATC Judge Wali Muhammad Khan, the court directed the accused to ensure their personal appearance at the next hearing and ordered the investigation officer to submit a progress report on the case by September 5.
During the hearing, photocopies of reports from the Punjab Forensic Science Agency in Lahore and the National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) in Islamabad were also placed on the court record.
According to the prosecution, nine accused nominated in the Radio Pakistan attack case are still absconding. The court directed their lawyers to ensure their personal appearance at the next hearing.
The prosecution told the court that on May 9, 2023, protesters attacked the Radio Pakistan Peshawar building and set it on fire, while public and private property was also damaged.
Following the incident, a case was registered at East Cantt Police Station, naming PTI leader and provincial minister Meena Khan Afridi, lawmakers Asif Khan and Fazal Elahi, along with several other party workers.
The police had sought reports from the Punjab Forensic Science Agency and NADRA to establish the identities of the accused. Differences have also reportedly emerged between prosecution officials and investigators over the inclusion of additional suspects in the case.
Earlier, Radio Pakistan’s counsel had filed contempt petitions over the delay in presenting the challan. During a hearing in March 2026, the counsel maintained that the police had completed the investigation and forwarded the case file to the prosecution, but the challan had not been submitted to the court.
Special prosecutor Naumanul Haq Kakakhel had defended the prosecution’s position, stating that video evidence available against some individuals was not conclusive and that forensic reports needed to be considered before further legal action.
In January 2026, Judge Wali Muhammad Khan had also taken notice of the delay in the Radio Pakistan attack case and sought a comprehensive progress report from the investigation officer. Radio Pakistan’s counsel had also raised objections over the appointment of the special prosecutor.
In its latest order, the court dismissed both contempt petitions, directed the investigation officer to submit a progress report by September 5 and ordered the accused to appear personally at the next hearing.
