PFSL confirms presence of KP CM, PTI leaders in May 9 violence videos

LAHORE: The Punjab Forensic Science Laboratory (PFSL) has confirmed the presence of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi and several Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leaders in videos related to the violent incidents of May 9, 2023, according to an official forensic report.

The PFSL conducted an audio-visual analysis of footage linked to the May 9 unrest on the request of Peshawar police. The report stated that a total of 16 videos, provided on a USB device, were examined frame by frame, with the analysis strictly limited to visual material.

The May 9 incidents erupted following the arrest of PTI founder Imran Khan in a corruption case, triggering protests across several cities. The demonstrations later turned violent, with attacks and vandalism reported at military and state installations.

According to the forensic report, no evidence of video editing was found in multiple clips, while limited additions of people or text were detected in a few videos. However, signs of clip splicing were identified in two videos linked to KP Chief Minister Sohail Afridi and PTI leader Irfan Saleem.

The laboratory confirmed Afridi’s presence by matching his official profile photograph with the individual seen in the May 9 footage. A similar comparison verified the presence of Irfan Saleem. The report also confirmed PTI leader Kamran Bangash’s appearance through a profile image match, while a clear resemblance was found between former provincial minister Taimur Jhagra and an individual visible in the videos.

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The PFSL stated that the forensic examination was carried out between December 19 and December 23, 2025, and was confined solely to visual evidence without any audio interpretation.

The report was prepared in response to a request stemming from proceedings in an anti-terrorism court, which had sought a police report in the Radio Pakistan attack case. Following this, the relevant video material was sent to the Punjab Forensic Science Laboratory for forensic examination.