PML-N MPA Saqib Chaddar's interim bail extended in Momina Iqbal harassment case

A Lahore sessions court on Monday extended the interim pre-arrest bail of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) MPA Saqib Chaddar and his wife, Samira, until July 28 in the alleged cyber harassment and death threats case filed by actor Momina Iqbal, while directing the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) to complete its investigation before the next hearing.

The case was registered on June 4 following a complaint filed by Momina. According to the First Information Report (FIR), Chaddar and his wife are accused of engaging in a sustained campaign of cyber harassment, stalking, intimidation and blackmail against the actor.

Additional District and Sessions Judge Nusrat Ali Siddiqui issued the order while hearing the couple's interim bail petitions. During the proceedings, Chaddar and his wife appeared before the court to mark their attendance.

The investigating officer informed the court that Samira Chaddar had joined the investigation, which remains underway. He said the mobile phone containing the SIM card allegedly used in the offence was required for forensic examination and sought additional time to complete the probe.

The defence argued that the NCCIA had registered the case contrary to the facts and requested the court to confirm the interim pre-arrest bail.

Accepting the investigating officer's request, the court granted additional time to complete the investigation, extended the interim pre-arrest bail of both suspects until July 28, and directed the NCCIA to submit a complete investigation report at the next hearing.

This is the second extension of Chaddar's interim pre-arrest bail. The sessions court initially granted him interim pre-arrest bail on June 5, restraining authorities from arresting him until June 24. The relief was subsequently extended on July 2 until July 13.

The cyber harassment case

On May 20, Momina took to social media, claiming that she had been facing online harassment, cyberbullying, and death threats for a long time. She alleged that she and her family had endured severe mental stress and trauma due to the individual involved.

In a message shared on her Instagram story, Momina, without naming anyone, alleged that an MPA associated with the PML-N had been issuing threats to her for an extended period. She added that she had repeatedly reported the matter to the NCCIA and the Federal Investigation Agency, but no action was taken.

The actor appealed to Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, saying she believed the chief minister "will take unbiased and lawful action against anyone found involved in abuse of power or obstruction of justice".

Three days later, the actor filed a formal complaint with the Lahore police, accusing Chadhar and his alleged accomplices of cyber harassment, criminal intimidation, blackmail, defamatory campaigns and interference in her marriage.

Read More: Momina Iqbal case: Lahore court extends interim bail of PML-N MPA Chadhar, wife up to July 13

According to a copy of the complaint submitted to police on May 22, the actor alleged that Chadhar had subjected her to “continuous harassment, death threats, and psychological torture” after she rejected his marriage proposal and ended ties with him in 2022.

The application, filed at the Chung Police Station, stated that the suspect allegedly used threatening calls, WhatsApp messages, fake social media activity, and AI-generated images to intimidate the actor and damage her reputation ahead of her upcoming marriage.

The complaint further alleged that the suspect repeatedly threatened to kill her if she refused to marry him. One of the alleged messages cited in the application stated: “Don’t force me … even your dead body will not be found.”

The actor also alleged that during a meeting at Pearl Continental Hotel Lahore in December 2024, the suspect again threatened her, warning that she would be killed if she married someone else.

According to the complaint, the situation escalated earlier this month after the actor’s engagement was finalised. The application claimed that explicit and AI-edited photographs were sent to her WhatsApp number from unknown contacts in an attempt to blackmail her and sabotage the marriage.

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The complaint stated that similar material was also sent to her sister, while threatening calls were allegedly made to members of her fiancé’s family. Momina further alleged that her fiancé, currently residing in Karachi, also received repeated calls and threatening messages from unidentified numbers and social media accounts linked to the accused.

The application accused the lawmaker of using political influence and connections within the ruling party to pressure the actor and obstruct action on previous complaints. She requested the police to register a criminal case against the lawmaker, his wife and other alleged facilitators, provide security to her family, and initiate immediate legal proceedings.

Responding to Iqbal's previous call for help, CM Maryam said the matter involving a PML-N MPA and a prominent media personality was “a personal issue” and would be addressed strictly on merit and in accordance with the law.

The chief minister further warned against any attempt to exert pressure or misuse influence through threats of releasing personal content, saying any such action would be met with firm and uncompromising action.