KP Assembly panel unhappy with police report on Radio Pakistan attack case

PESHAWAR: A Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly committee on Monday voiced dissatisfaction with a police report on the investigation into cases linked to the 2023 attack on the Radio Pakistan building in Peshawar.

The building was attacked on May 10, 2023, during protests that erupted after the arrest of former prime minister and PTI founder Imran Khan. According to the details placed before the committee, a mob ransacked and set fire to the premises, destroying equipment, historical recordings and three vehicles. An employee was also hospitalised with burn injuries.

During the meeting, committee members reminded police officials that they had already been provided a detailed proforma for the submission of the investigation record. They said the police department had been asked to furnish a step-by-step account of the probe, including complete particulars of those originally nominated in the cases and others added later, the evidence available against them, the sources of that evidence, and the status of investigations before the filing of challans.

The committee had also sought information on the use of available resources during the investigation, the current legal standing of the cases, and details of accused persons who had been acquitted, convicted or were still facing trial. In addition, members asked for CCTV footage and other material connected to the incident.

Although the police department submitted a report, committee chairman and KP law minister Aftab Alam Afridi said he was not satisfied with it. He instructed the relevant officials to resubmit the report in line with the prescribed proforma so that the committee could receive comprehensive, accurate and verifiable information.

Afridi said the matter carried public importance and that transparency, accountability and professional standards had to be ensured. He directed the police department to place a complete, detailed and authentic report before the committee at its next meeting so it could frame recommendations on the matter.

The committee also told the police department to provide certified copies of all available records, documents, evidence and other relevant material related to the attack before the next meeting.