Court renews arrest warrants for Sohail Afridi in 2023 attack case

A Pakistani anti-terrorism court on Wednesday reissued an arrest warrant for suspended Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi over an attack on the Radio Pakistan building in Peshawar during nationwide unrest in May 2023, while extending the interim bail of several leaders of his Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party.

Afridi's whereabouts have remained unknown since October 11, when he was reportedly taken into preventive custody following the imposition of emergency rule and federal intervention in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

A federal minister confirmed the following day that Afridi and some members of his cabinet had been detained, while his lawyer has challenged his alleged detention before the Peshawar High Court.

Why has the court reissued arrest warrants for Sohail Afridi?

The Peshawar court renewed the arrest warrants after police previously told the court they had been unable to trace Afridi following an earlier arrest order issued on October 28.

The case relates to the May 9, 2023, attack on the Radio Pakistan building during protests that erupted after the arrest of former prime minister Imran Khan. Afridi and several other PTI figures have been named in the case.

Anti-Terrorism Court Judge Wali Muhammad issued the latest warrants during a hearing attended by former provincial ministers Taimur Saleem Jhagra and Kamran Bangash, as well as PTI Peshawar President Irfan Saleem.

Which PTI leaders received bail extensions?

The court extended the interim bail of Jhagra, Bangash and Irfan Saleem until November 17 after their lawyers sought more time to prepare for the proceedings.

The defence lawyers told the court they were not ready to proceed with the hearing. The judge accepted their request and adjourned the case until the next hearing.

Who has been named in the Radio Pakistan attack case?

Afridi, Jhagra, Bangash, Irfan Saleem and PTI worker Amir Khan Chamkani are among those named in the case following a complaint filed by Radio Pakistan.

An earlier police charge sheet cited forensic findings from the Punjab Forensic Science Agency (PFSA) and the National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) as part of the evidence used to identify the nominated PTI figures and establish their presence in video footage.

The number of accused in the case has reportedly risen to more than 80.

What happened during the May 9 attack on Radio Pakistan?

The attack on the historic Radio Pakistan building in Peshawar was among several major incidents during nationwide unrest on May 9, 2023.

The demonstrations erupted after former prime minister Imran Khan was arrested at the Islamabad High Court. PTI supporters staged protests across the country, during which several government and military installations were attacked.