Peshawar, An anti-terrorism court on Wednesday issued arrest warrants for former Khyber Pakhtunkhwa chief minister Sohail Afridi in connection with the May 2023 attack on the Radio Pakistan building in Peshawar.
Afridi ceased to hold office after Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari imposed emergency and governor’s rule in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on October 11. The court had adjourned proceedings on October 13 until October 28.
The forensic findings were used to identify the accused in connection with the incident, according to the prosecution. The federal government cited the worsening security situation and the provincial government’s alleged failure to adequately address terrorism as reasons for the move. The building was stormed and set on fire during the unrest. Several people were arrested in connection with the case, in which the court is also trying other accused.
On Wednesday, anti-terrorism court judge Wali Muhammad issued the arrest warrants against Afridi and four of his party colleagues during a hearing of the May 2023 case. The court had obtained identity verification reports from the National Database and Registration Authority and the Punjab Forensic Science Agency as part of the investigation.
