The Peshawar High Court (PHC) dismissed a Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government petition challenging an Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) order for forensic examination of CCTV footage related to the May 9, 2023 attack on the Radio Pakistan Peshawar building.

Justice Sahibzada Asadullah ruled that the trial court was within its jurisdiction to examine case-relevant material and order forensic analysis to ensure a fair trial. The ATC ordered the examination of footage to verify its authenticity and identify those involved in the attack.

The provincial government argued that once the trial had already commenced, the ATC could not order the examination of new evidence. However, the PHC said the forensic examination was intended to determine the source, continuity and integrity of electronic material already presented by the Pakistan Broadcasting Corporation and did not amount to reopening the investigation.

The court said the evidentiary value of the CCTV footage and forensic report would be determined by the trial court on their merits after giving all parties an opportunity to challenge the findings.