Read More : Sohail Afridi’s brother seeks court intervention to establish his whereabouts
The proceedings were held before Anti-Terrorism Court Judge Wali Muhammad Khan, with the investigation officer appearing before the court as it reviewed the status of the case.
According to the case record, Afridi, Taimur Saleem Jhagra, Kamran Bangash, Irfan Saleem and Chamkani have been nominated in connection with the attack on the state broadcaster’s premises.
The court reissued arrest warrants for Afridi and Chamkani. The available case details did not specify whether the warrants were issued because the two men had failed to appear, or whether any further directions were given to law enforcement authorities for their execution.
Separately, pre-arrest bail applications have been submitted on behalf of Jhagra, Bangash and Saleem. The court extended the interim protection granted to all three until November 17, allowing their applications to remain pending until the next hearing.
The judge adjourned further proceedings to that date. No final decision on the bail applications was announced during the hearing.
The case relates to the May 9, 2023 attack on Radio Pakistan’s Peshawar premises, which took place amid violent demonstrations following the arrest of former prime minister Imran Khan. Protesters targeted several public buildings and government facilities during unrest reported in multiple parts of the country.
The Radio Pakistan building was among the sites damaged during the demonstrations. The incident became part of a wider series of investigations into attacks on public property and state installations during the unrest.
The May 9 violence prompted authorities to register cases against individuals accused of participating in attacks, damaging government property or encouraging disorder. Proceedings in several cases have involved political figures and supporters of Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party.
The Peshawar proceedings concern the specific allegations recorded in the Radio Pakistan case. Being nominated in a criminal case does not, by itself, establish guilt, and the allegations against the named individuals remain subject to judicial examination.
The distinction between arrest warrants and pre-arrest bail is central to the current stage of the proceedings. Arrest warrants authorise law enforcement to take a named individual into custody in accordance with the court’s order. Pre-arrest bail, meanwhile, provides temporary protection from arrest while a court considers an application for relief.
The interim bail extensions for Jhagra, Bangash and Saleem do not amount to a final ruling on their applications. The court will have to consider the submissions before deciding whether to confirm, modify or withdraw the protection.
The reissued warrants for Afridi and Chamkani also do not constitute findings of guilt. The prosecution will still be required to establish its allegations through evidence and legal proceedings.
The next hearing on November 17 is expected to provide an opportunity for the court to review the pending bail matters and receive further progress on the investigation. The court may also consider the status of the warrants and the appearance of the accused.
The case remains at the judicial stage, with no final verdict reported in the proceedings described. Further developments will depend on the court’s orders and the steps taken by investigators before the next hearing.
