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Lahore court extends pre-arrest bail of PML-N MPA accused of harassing television actress Momina Iqbal
🇵🇰 Pakistan /Crime & Justice

Lahore court extends pre-arrest bail of PML-N MPA accused of harassing television actress Momina Iqbal

From Dawn · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources In the courts
  • A Pakistani court extended the pre-arrest bail for MPA Saqib Chadhar and his wife until July 13.
  • They face allegations of harassing television actress Momina Iqbal.
  • The case gained attention after Iqbal's viral social media appeal to the Chief Minister.

A sessions court in Lahore has extended the interim pre-arrest bail for Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) Member of the Provincial Assembly (MPA) Saqib Chadhar and his wife. The couple is accused of harassing television actress Momina Iqbal. The bail has been extended until July 13.

A member of the provincial assembly belonging to the PML-N has been threatening me for an extended period. I repeatedly reported the matter to the NCCIA and the Federal Investigation Agency, but no action was taken.

— Momina IqbalIn her online post, Momina Iqbal detailed the alleged harassment she faced.

Additional District and Sessions Judge Nusrat Ali Siddiqi presided over the hearing. Chadhar appeared in court with his lawyer, but his wife was absent due to health reasons. The judge instructed both to join the ongoing investigation and ordered the prosecution to submit a progress report at the next hearing.

The case gained significant public attention after Momina Iqbal posted a viral social media appeal in May. She alleged prolonged online harassment, cyberbullying, and death threats, causing severe mental stress to her and her family. Iqbal claimed that despite reporting the matter to the National Cybercrime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) and the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA), no action was taken. She further alleged that individuals from the Chief Minister's office attempted to suppress her complaints.

Even individuals associated with the office of the chief minister tried to discourage me and silence the issue rather than allowing a fair investigation.

— Momina IqbalIqbal claimed that attempts were made to suppress her complaints.

Following Iqbal's allegations, the PML-N's top leadership directed the NCCIA to investigate the complaint. A source told Dawn that the Chief Minister's Office also sought to clear its name. Subsequently, the NCCIA summoned Iqbal and Chadhar. A day after recording their statements, Iqbal filed a police report alleging that Chadhar had made threatening calls and proposed marriage, which she refused as he was already married. She accused him of blackmail and sending threatening messages to her and her sister.

The PML-N’s top leadership directed the NCCIA to immediately entertain the actor’s complaint and initiate action against the ruling party MPA if the allegations are proven.

— SourceA source told Dawn about the directive from the PML-N leadership.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Dawn. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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