PESHAWAR: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Muhammad Sohail Afridi and four other Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leaders were on Thursday formally nomi nated as accused in the case relating to the attack, arson and vandalism at Radio Pakistan Peshawar during protests after the arrest of the party founder Imran Khan on May 9, 2023.
The other leaders named in the case are former provincial ministers Taimur Saleem Jhagra and Kamran Bangash, PTI Peshawar district president Irfan Saleem and party activist Amir Chamkani.
The names were included in a report submitted by the investigation officer before the Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) in Peshawar. The case was heard by ATC Judge Wali Mohammad Khan.
Radio Pakistan counsel Shabbir Hussain Gigyani and Investigation Officer Deputy Superintendent of Police Khushal Khan appeared before the court.
The investigation officer told the court that the investigation had been completed in light of reports received from the Punjab Forensic Science Agency (PFSA) and the National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA).
He said the forensic material and other evidence had been examined after the two reports were received.
According to the police report, video footage and photographs relating to the incident had been sent to PFSA and NADRA on the court’s directions for forensic examination and identification.
The report claimed that the presence of the five nominated persons at the scene had been confirmed through the material examined by the two institutions.
The investigating officer informed the court that the director of Radio Pakistan had also recorded a statement about the nomination of the five persons in the case.
The court asked the investigation officer when the complete challan would be submitted. He replied that some additional time was required to prepare the challan in light of the investigation report and that it would be submitted as soon as it was completed.
The investigation officer added that the challan would be submitted through the special prosecutor or the district public prosecutor.
During the hearing, Radio Pakistan’s counsel argued that the police report showed the presence of the nominated accused at the site of the incident. He said the matter was part of the record submitted by the East Cantt Police Station.
The counsel submitted that more than 100 PTI workers had already been nominated in the case relating to the torching of the Radio Pakistan building and damage to public property during the May 9 and 10 protests, and their trial was already underway. He said an investigation in the matter was expected as well.
The court directed the prosecution to submit the complete challan by September 28 and adjourned the hearing.
The case stems from violent protests that erupted across the country after the arrest of PTI founder Imran Khan on May 9, 2023.
In Peshawar, protesters entered the Radio Pakistan premises, ransacked offices and studios, damaged equipment and official records and set parts of the building and vehicles on fire. Radio Pakistan officials said the station’s transmission was disrupted.
The prosecution’s latest move follows forensic proceedings ordered by the ATC. In December 2025, the court directed forensic examination of relevant video clips and facial identification through PFSA and NADRA.
