On February 3, the National Database and Registration Authority (Nadra) reported probable facial matches between the profile photographs of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Mohammad Sohail Afridi and four other individuals with footage linked to the 2023 Radio Pakistan Peshawar attack, though an anti-terrorism court has directed investigators to refile the document with complete case papers on the next hearing date.

A single-page forensic report, sent by a deputy director (technical) of Nadra in Islamabad to its assistant director (LEA Cell) in Peshawar was placed before the anti-terrorism court during ongoing proceedings concerning the ransacking and arson at the Radio Pakistan building. Judge Wali Mohammad Khan returned the report to the investigation team and instructed them to submit a proper report along with the charge sheet on 14 February.

The Nadra findings follow a forensic assessment issued last month by the Punjab Forensic Science Agency, which also identified Mr Afridi and four others in video clips provided by investigators. According to the Nadra document, a USB device containing five folders was processed through its Facial Recognition System. Each folder carried material associated with one of the five individuals, and the system recorded probable matches with their Computerised National Identity Card photographs. Nadra noted that the analysis was provisional and that physical verification remained necessary.

The individuals identified in both reports include former provincial ministers Taimur Saleem Jhagra and Kamran Khan Bangash, as well as Irfan Saleem and Aamir Khan Chamkani. None of the five are currently facing trial in the case. The Nadra report was prepared under the subject “Identification of Accused” and stated that the USB and accompanying request letter had been returned after examination.

The PFSA report, prepared between 19 and 23 December 2025, analysed 16 videos supplied by the Sharqi police station. It stated that most of the clips showed no evidence of editing, apart from added text and logos in some cases, and confirmed facial matches between footage and official photographs. Last month, several individuals named in the clips disputed that the videos related to the Radio Pakistan incident.

The anti-terrorism court had earlier ordered forensic examination of relevant videos and facial recognition assessments by both PFSA and Nadra. The request for these examinations originated from the station director of the Pakistan Broadcasting Corporation, who sought verification of the authenticity of the footage, the presence of individuals and the identification of suspects.

The case concerns the events of 9 May 2023, when protesters attacked the Radio Pakistan Peshawar premises and set parts of the building on fire following the arrest of Imran Khan. An FIR was registered the same day at East Cantonment police station. The trial is under way with 75 accused indicted on 3 June 2025, including serving and former lawmakers. Those facing trial include provincial minister Meena Khan Afridi, MNA Asif Khan, MPAs Fazal Ilahi Khan and Arbab Waseem, and former MPAs Arbab Jehandad, Fida Gul and Wajid Khan.

The court has adjourned further proceedings to 14 February.