A major development has emerged in the harassment case involving Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) Punjab Assembly member Saqib Chadhar and actress Momina Iqbal, with the lawmaker and his wife receiving significant legal relief from a Lahore sessions court.
During the latest hearing, the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) informed the court that a newly constituted joint investigation team had found Saqib Chadhar and his wife, Sumaira, innocent in the case. The investigating officer also stated that their arrest was not required at this stage.
Following the development, Chadhar withdrew his interim bail petition, while the court disposed of the bail applications filed by him and his wife following their withdrawal.
However, the legal dispute is far from over. Actress Momina Iqbal appeared before the court along with her lawyer and strongly objected to the latest investigation report.
Iqbal’s counsel questioned the investigation process, arguing that the investigation team had been changed without taking the complainant into confidence. The lawyer also raised questions over how the accused could be declared innocent without what he described as a complete and transparent investigation.
Momina Iqbal has indicated that she will continue pursuing the matter through legal channels, potentially opening another chapter in the closely followed case.
The controversy began after Iqbal alleged that she had been subjected to cyber harassment, threats and blackmail. The NCCIA subsequently registered a case against Saqib Chadhar and his wife under relevant provisions of the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA) and Pakistan Penal Code.
The latest court proceedings represent a significant development in the case. While Saqib Chadhar has secured immediate legal relief following the investigation report, Momina Iqbal’s objections suggest that the dispute could continue in court.
Further proceedings are expected to determine the next legal direction of the case.