Planned attack on Radio Pakistan Peshawar proven by forensic evidence: Punjab information minister

Lahore: (Asif Iqbal) Punjab Information and Culture Minister Azma Bukhari on Monday said forensic investigations had conclusively established that the attack on Radio Pakistan Peshawar on May 9 was a premeditated act carried out under political direction, contradicting claims made by Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI).
Addressing a press briefing in Lahore, Ms Bukhari said an independent forensic report prepared by the Punjab Forensic Science Laboratory (PFSL) had proven that the incident was not a spontaneous reaction but a “well-planned conspiracy” aimed at state institutions and public property.

She said PTI’s internal inquiry had failed to absolve the party, while independent forensic evidence had exposed its claims as false. According to the forensic report, several PTI leaders including Sohail Afridi, Kamran Bangash, Taimur Jhagra, Irfan Saleem and Islami Student Federation’s Amir Chamkani — were directly involved in the attack, arson and destruction of government property at Radio Pakistan Peshawar.

Ms Bukhari said the forensic team conducted a frame-by-frame analysis of audio and video material obtained from the scene. Sixteen videos collected from Peshawar were examined and found to be authentic, with no signs of editing or tampering. She added that the identification of the suspects was carried out by matching faces in the footage with their official and public profile images, and all evidence had been formally submitted to the court.

The minister said the investigation was conducted on the orders of an anti-terrorism court, which had directed police to submit a complete report in the Radio Pakistan attack case. She noted that the case was currently under trial in a Peshawar court and that strict legal action, including possible disqualification of those involved, could follow on the basis of evidence.

Referring to the broader political context, Ms Bukhari said PTI’s politics had been marked by violence, vandalism and chaos, adding that the party’s performance during its time in power had been “zero”. She also cited a recent incident in Karachi, where PTI workers allegedly pelted stones at media personnel and damaged vehicles during a chief minister’s visit, calling it further proof of what she described as the party’s “violent mindset”.

She reiterated that the events of May 9 would not be forgotten and that all those responsible would be brought to justice. “The state cannot allow any political group to attack national institutions, public property or the dignity of the country,” she said, adding that the writ of the law and the protection of citizens’ lives and property would be ensured at all costs.

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Ms Bukhari recalled that PTI’s founder had previously said he would apologise if vandalism was proven through forensic evidence, but despite clear findings, no apology or expression of remorse had been forthcoming. She praised the PFSL which she said was established under former prime minister Shehbaz Sharif and is now being further modernised under Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz as one of Asia’s most credible forensic institutions.

Responding to questions, the minister said footage of vandalism from Peshawar, Lahore and other cities, including images and videos of the Corps Commander House, was already in the public domain. She claimed that individuals initially blamed on unnamed agencies were later identified as PTI workers, many of whom remained in jail, and that some had confessed on camera to setting fires and damaging property. She also referred to alleged audio recordings of PTI leader Murad Saeed, claiming they contained direct instructions related to the violence.

Ms Bukhari said cases against PTI leaders were based on their own actions and “irrefutable forensic evidence”, unlike what she described as politically motivated cases filed by the PTI government against leaders of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) in the past.

She also criticised PTI leaders for ignoring governance issues in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, claiming that 70 per cent of schools in the province lacked basic facilities and that hospitals and educational institutions were in poor condition.

Concluding her remarks, the minister said Pakistan was moving towards stability and development, adding that the PML-N believed in positive political competition, dialogue and cooperation, and would continue to prioritise public welfare, national security and strong infrastructure.