Police review forensic findings as decision looms on Sohail Afridi’s nomination in Radio Pakistan attack case
Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi. SCREEN CAPTURE
The Punjab Forensic Science Laboratory (PFSL) has completed a video footage verification report related to the May 9 incidents in Peshawar, confirming the presence of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi in the footage, along with Kamran Bangash, Taimur Jhagra and Irfan Saleem.
According to the forensic report, the PFSL conducted a detailed audio-visual analysis of the videos provided by the Peshawar police at the request of the authorities. The report is based on 16 video clips contained in a USB drive sent by Sharqi Police Station, Peshawar.
The lab conducted a frame-by-frame analysis of the footage. While several videos showed no signs of manipulation, some clips indicated insertions of people and text, and in two videos featuring CM Afridi and Irfan Saleem, evidence of clip splicing was detected.
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The report claims that the profile pictures of Sohail Afridi, Irfan Saleem, Kamran Bangash and Taimur Jhagra matched the people seen in the videos. In all four cases, the people in the images were confirmed to be the same as in their respective profile images.
The forensic review was conducted between December 19 and 23, 2025 and the analysis was strictly limited to visual content, the report added.
The Anti-Terrorism Court had earlier ordered the police to obtain the forensic report in connection with the Radio Pakistan attack case.
Meanwhile, the Peshawar police have started consultations on the nomination of CM Afridi as an accused following the findings of the Punjab Forenic Sciences Laboratory. Members of the investigation team said that the investigation officer and Investigation SSP informed the IG of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa and legal assistance was sought from the legal branch of the police.
Investigators confirmed that a detailed review of the PFSL report is underway and the police are now required to file a supplementary challan in the case.
The FIR related to the attack on Radio Pakistan was registered at Sharqi Police Station, and the USB containing footage of the prime minister’s alleged presence was sent to the PFSL for verification.
The forensic report was received by the police three days ago and was formally submitted to the court.
