Forensic Evidence Confirms Radio Pakistan Peshawar Attack Was Pre-Planned and Politically Directed: Azma Bokhari

By Farzana Chaudhry
Lahore, Pakistan
LAHORE: Punjab Minister for Information and Culture Azma Bokhari has said that forensic evidence has conclusively established that the attack on Radio Pakistan Peshawar on May 9 was a pre-planned, politically directed act of arson, with the direct involvement of leaders of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and an activist of its student wing.
Addressing a press briefing, Azma Bokhari said that despite threats, chaos and conspiracies allegedly orchestrated by PTI, Pakistan continues to move forward on the path of progress. She said the economy is stabilising, inflation is declining and visible improvements are being seen across multiple sectors of public life.
She credited the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) for playing a key role in economic stabilisation, infrastructure development and public welfare initiatives, while accusing PTI of promoting politics centred on unrest, violence and vandalism. According to her, PTI’s tenure in government failed to deliver meaningful outcomes for the public, offering only slogans and ineffective measures.
Referring to recent incidents in Karachi, the Information Minister said that during the visit of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister, PTI workers resorted to stone-pelting at media personnel and vandalised vehicles, which, she said, reflected a pattern of disruptive behaviour.
Azma Bokhari said that independent and comprehensive investigations conducted by the Punjab Forensic Science Laboratory (PFSL) have proven beyond doubt that the Radio Pakistan Peshawar attack was a well-organised and premeditated operation. She said the investigation was carried out under the directives of the Anti-Terrorism Court, which had ordered the police to submit a complete forensic report in the case.
According to the forensic findings, 16 video recordings obtained from Peshawar were examined frame by frame. No evidence of editing or tampering was found, confirming the authenticity of the footage. The report states that Sohail Afridi, Kamran Bangash, Taimur Jhagra, Irfan Saleem, and Aamir Chamkani, an activist of the Insaf Students Federation (ISF), were directly involved in arson, the attack on Radio Pakistan and the destruction of public property. Their identities were confirmed by matching facial features in the videos with official and publicly available profile photographs.
Azma Bokhari said the May 9 incidents were not spontaneous or emotional reactions but part of a calculated conspiracy against the State of Pakistan, its institutions and public assets. She stressed that the state cannot allow any political party or group to attack national institutions or damage public property.
She added that the case is currently under trial in a Peshawar court and that, based on the evidence, strict legal action—including possible disqualification of those involved—is expected. She said PTI’s internal inquiry failed to absolve the party of responsibility, while independent forensic evidence has categorically rejected its claims.
Condemning attacks on journalists in Karachi, Azma Bokhari said the Sindh government had provided space for the rally, but when attendance remained low, PTI leaders resorted to allegations and what she described as false propaganda. She said the public is now fully aware of such tactics.
The Information Minister emphasised that the events of May 9 will not be forgotten and that all those responsible will be held accountable under the law. She said the state will not succumb to false narratives, political theatrics or chaos, and will continue to uphold the rule of law while protecting citizens’ lives and property.
Azma Bokhari recalled that PTI’s founder had publicly stated he would apologise if vandalism was proven through forensic evidence, but despite what she called clear and irrefutable proof, no apology or expression of remorse has been offered. She highlighted that the Punjab Forensic Science Laboratory—one of the most credible forensic institutions in Asia, established under the leadership of Shehbaz Sharif and now being further modernised under Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif—has validated the evidence.
Responding to questions, she said video footage of vandalism from Peshawar, Lahore and other cities exists, including widely circulated images and videos of the attack on the Corps Commander House. She said individuals initially blamed on state institutions were later identified as PTI workers, many of whom remain in custody. She added that several suspects were recorded on camera confessing to arson and property damage, while audio recordings allegedly featuring Murad Saeed issuing instructions are also available.
Azma Bokhari further said that during PTI’s tenure, politically motivated cases were filed against PML-N leaders, including Khawaja Saad Rafique, Rana Sanaullah, Ahsan Iqbal and Khawaja Asif, whereas, she claimed, PML-N does not believe in politics of revenge. She said the cases against PTI are based on the party’s own actions and verified forensic evidence.
She also criticised PTI leadership for ignoring what she described as governance failures in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, including the poor condition of hospitals and educational institutions. She claimed that around 70 percent of schools in the province lack basic facilities, forcing students to study under harsh conditions.
Concluding her remarks, Azma Bokhari said PML-N believes in positive political competition, dialogue and cooperation, and remains committed to public welfare, national security and infrastructure development. She said elements spreading chaos would be defeated, while the public interest would remain the government’s top priority.