Azma Bukhari on Monday firmly rejected claims by the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf that unrelated videos were submitted for forensic analysis related to the May 9, 2023 riots. Consequently, she said the allegations were misleading and aimed at creating confusion around ongoing legal proceedings tied to violent attacks on state institutions.
Addressing a press conference in Lahore, Bukhari clarified that two separate videos linked to the Sohail Afridi existed and should not be deliberately mixed. Moreover, she stated that one clip originated from Zaman Park, while another showed vandalism and arson, which was later deleted from social media platforms.
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She alleged that once the KP chief minister realised what he described as a failed revolutionary attempt, he removed the incriminating footage online. However, she added that despite deletion attempts, the videos remained preserved in official records and were recovered during the investigation process.
Bukhari further claimed that the mob’s original destination was the Corps Commander House, located near the Radio Pakistan building in Peshawar. After being denied access, she said the group stormed the state broadcaster’s premises, set parts of it on fire, vandalised offices, and destroyed sensitive records.
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Responding to criticism over convictions in May 9 cases, she said individuals involved in violence in Punjab had been tried, convicted, and were currently serving sentences. Furthermore, she stressed that the government was not pursuing political revenge, contrasting it with cases filed against PML-N leaders during PTI’s tenure.
Meanwhile, she criticised PTI’s call for a wheel-jam strike on February 8, calling it an attempt to fuel disorder and weaken state authority. She added that the forensic report by the Punjab Forensic Science Agency was based on verified footage submitted under court orders and was not initially challenged by the defence.