Verification of May 9 suspects ordered

An Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) in Peshawar has directed that video footage and records related to the attack on Radio Pakistan Peshawar during protests on May 9 and 10 be sent to NADRA for verification to establish the identity of the suspects.

The court issued the orders while hearing an application seeking identification of the accused involved in damaging public and private property during protests against the arrest of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder chairman Imran Khan. The ATC also instructed the investigating officer to verify the suspects' identities through NADRA and submit a report by February 10.

After the hearing, ATC Judge Wali Muhammad issued a brief order. According to the decision, complainant's counsel Shabbir Hussain Gigyani Advocate argued that on May 9, enraged protesters stormed the Radio Pakistan building, set it on fire, and caused extensive damage to public and private property. Following the incident, an FIR was registered against the accused after the historic Chaghi Mountain replica was also set ablaze.

The court noted that the trial in the case has commenced and that several PTI lawmakers and workers have been nominated as accused. It ruled that for proper identification and verification of the actual perpetrators, NADRA verification is essential, while forensic analysis of the video footage should be conducted by the Punjab Forensic Science Agency.

Accepting the complainant's request, the court ordered the investigating officer to send the relevant record for NADRA verification. However, the court dismissed an application filed against the complainant's decision to engage a private counsel, observing that a complainant or party has the right to appoint a lawyer of its own choice.