Nadra confirms CM Afridi's face recognition as suspect in Radio Pakistan attack case

The National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) has identified Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Chief Minister Sohail Afridi and several other suspects in the Radio Pakistan Peshawar attack case through its facial recognition system.

According to the 24NewsHD TV channel, NADRA has submitted its report to investigating authorities, confirming that the identification of [the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI)-backed] suspects was carried out using facial recognition technology.

As per the NADRA report, the suspects were identified through facial recognition matches that were potentially linked with their national identity card numbers.

The report includes the name of the newly elected Chief Minister of KP, Sohail Afridi, along with other individuals whose facial data was matched during the process.

NADRA stated that the facial recognition analysis was conducted after receiving a USB device containing digital material.

The device reportedly included five folders bearing the names of Sohail Afridi, Aamir Chamkani, Irfan Salim, Kamran and Taimoor Jhagra, each accompanied by profile photographs.

The NADRA report said that the facial recognition system provisionally matched the faces in the footage with corresponding national identity card records.

However, NADRA emphasised that on-ground verification remains mandatory. It added that the USB device received along with an official request letter had been returned.

Last month, on January 11, the 24NewsHD TV channel reported that the Punjab Forensic Science Laboratory had prepared a separate report at the request of Peshawar Police, analysing video and audio footage related to the May 9 incidents of violence in Peshawar.

That forensic report confirmed the presence of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi, Kamran Bangash, Taimoor Jhagra and Irfan Salim at the site of the riots.

According to the laboratory, the footage was provided by the Sharqi Police Station in Peshawar through a USB device containing 16 videos.

The laboratory stated that most of the videos showed no signs of editing, although the addition of text and logos was observed in some clips.

It further said that facial matching between the video footage and official profile photographs confirmed that the individuals appearing in the videos were the same persons.

The forensic analysis was conducted between December 19 and December 23, 2025.

An anti-terrorism court had earlier directed Peshawar Police to submit a detailed report in connection with the attack on the Radio Pakistan building.

Reporter: Malik Rehman