Court extends bail of PML-N lawmaker in actress Momina Iqbal harassment case

Additional District and Sessions Judge Nusrat Ali Siddiqi heard the case. Chadhar appeared before the court along with his legal counsel, while

LAHORE: A Lahore sessions court on Thursday extended the interim pre-arrest bail of PML-N Member of the Provincial Assembly (MPA) Saqib Chadhar and his wife until July 13 in a case involving allegations of harassment made by television actress Momina Iqbal.

Additional District and Sessions Judge Nusrat Ali Siddiqi heard the case. Chadhar appeared before the court along with his legal counsel, while his wife was excused from attending due to illness.

The court directed both suspects to cooperate with the ongoing investigation and ordered the prosecution to submit a progress report at the next hearing scheduled for July 13.

The case emerged after Momina Iqbal publicly alleged on social media in May that she had been subjected to prolonged online harassment, cyberbullying, and death threats. She claimed the harassment had caused severe emotional distress to both her and her family and alleged that a PML-N lawmaker had repeatedly threatened her.

Iqbal also maintained that despite filing complaints with the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) and the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA), no meaningful action had initially been taken. Her public appeal drew the attention of senior PML-N leadership, including Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, who directed authorities to investigate the matter thoroughly.

Following the complaint, the NCCIA summoned both Iqbal and Chadhar to record their statements. The actress later sought the registration of a criminal case, accusing the lawmaker of threatening and harassing her after she allegedly rejected his marriage proposal upon discovering he was already married. She further alleged that he attempted to blackmail her through phone calls, WhatsApp messages, video calls, and by sending threatening messages to her sister.

Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz also warned that any attempt to misuse political influence or intimidate a woman through threats involving private material would face strict legal action.

The NCCIA subsequently registered a case against Chadhar under multiple provisions of the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act and the Pakistan Penal Code, including charges related to cyberstalking, offences against modesty, criminal intimidation, destruction of evidence, and abetment.

Chadhar had obtained interim pre-arrest bail shortly after the case was registered, and the relief has now been extended pending further proceedings.