Faces matched, videos verified: forensic analysis of May 9 footages completed

ISLAMABAD: The Punjab Forensic Science Laboratory (PFSL) has completed its verification of video footage related to the May 9 incidents in Peshawar, confirming the presence of several political figures belonging to the opposition party Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) in the visuals submitted for analysis, according to an official report.

Sources said the forensic analysis was carried out at the request of Peshawar Police in connection with cases related to the May 9 unrest, including the attack on Radio Pakistan. The Anti-Terrorism Court had sought a detailed report, following which police forwarded the relevant audio-visual material to the PFSL.

According to the report, PFSL conducted a frame-by-frame analysis of 16 videos contained in a USB device sent by Peshawar’s East Police Station. The examination focused solely on visual content, officials said.

The forensic findings confirm the presence of Chief Minister Sohail Afridi, Kamran Bangash, Taimur Jhagra, and Irfan Saleem in the May 9 footage. Investigators compared profile pictures of the individuals with persons appearing in the videos and found them to be consistent.

The report states that Sohail Afridi’s profile image matched the individual seen in the May 9 videos. Similarly, Irfan Saleem, Kamran Bangash, and Taimur Jhagra were also visually identified, with their profile pictures found to be consistent with the individuals appearing in the footage.

PFSL noted that no evidence of editing was found in several of the analyzed videos. However, the addition of logos and text overlays was identified in some clips. The report also revealed evidence of clip-joining in two videos involving Sohail Afridi and Irfan Saleem.

Officials said the forensic verification process was completed between December 19 and December 23, 2025. The findings have been forwarded to the concerned authorities for further legal proceedings.

Police sources confirmed that the forensic analysis forms part of the ongoing investigation into the May 9 incidents and will be presented before the court as evidence.