Lahore: Pakistani actress Momina Iqbal has questioned the legal process after a Lahore sessions court once again extended the interim pre-arrest bail of Punjab MPA Saqib Chadhar and his wife in a cybercrime case filed against them. During Thursday's hearing, the court extended the couple's interim bail until July 13 and directed them to join the investigation. The court also sought a progress report from the prosecution at the next hearing.
Actress Expresses Concern Over Political Influence
Reacting to the development, Momina Iqbal shared a message on her Instagram Story without naming anyone directly, expressing concern over what she described as the use of political influence in the case. "I used to think influence was limited to Bhowana, but now I have seen how the full advantage of being an MPA is being used," she wrote. The actress further alleged that her representatives had been repeatedly harassed, followed and subjected to different forms of pressure. She also questioned whether ordinary citizens receive the same treatment from the courts or whether repeated adjournments are reserved for influential individuals.
Case Background and Allegations
The case surfaced in May when Momina Iqbal alleged that she had been subjected to prolonged online harassment, cyberbullying and death threats by a provincial lawmaker. She later identified Saqib Chadhar in her complaint, alleging that he threatened both her and her fiancé after she rejected his marriage proposal. According to the actress, her sister also received threatening messages. Earlier, Maryam Nawaz had stated that any attempt to use political influence or intimidate individuals involved in the case would not be tolerated.
Legal Proceedings and Bail Extensions
On June 4, Pakistan's National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) registered a case against Saqib Chadhar under cybercrime and other relevant legal provisions. He was granted interim pre-arrest bail on June 5, which has since been extended multiple times. The court has repeatedly sought progress reports from the prosecution, while the accused have been directed to cooperate with the investigation. Momina Iqbal's public statements have drawn attention to the perceived disparity in legal treatment between influential figures and ordinary citizens.
