In a significant development on Monday, the Lahore High Court (LHC) granted protective bail to Hamza Habib, the fiancé of actor Momina Iqbal, in a case related to alleged threats against lawmaker Saqib Chadhar. Habib had applied for protective bail after a case was registered against him in Jhang for purportedly issuing threats to Chadhar.
The petition was heard by Justice Abhar Gul, who, after considering the preliminary arguments, approved the protective bail and instructed Habib to seek interim bail from the relevant trial court by June 1.
Meanwhile, last week both Momina Iqbal and Saqib Chadhar appeared before the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) in Lahore to record their statements in an ongoing investigation into online harassment allegations. The two, accompanied by their legal teams, spent several hours at the NCCIA office answering questions pertaining to accusations of cyber harassment and threats.
The case originated after Momina Iqbal accused the lawmaker of persistent online harassment and death threats, sparking widespread attention on social media and a broader public discourse. The investigation gained momentum swiftly following the viral nature of Iqbal’s online complaint, which reportedly attracted the interest of senior PML-N leadership, including Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz. Punjab police also provided security to Momina Iqbal, as confirmed by her family.
In her complaint, the actor alleged continuous harassment, cyberbullying, and efforts to suppress her complaints, asserting that even individuals connected to the chief minister’s office discouraged her from pursuing the matter further. Her sister, Advocate Rimsha Iqbal, stated that the family had submitted evidence to the NCCIA and expressed confidence in a just resolution. She also mentioned that threats had been directed at Momina’s fiancé.
On the other hand, Saqib Chadhar’s legal representatives denied the allegations, highlighting a longstanding association between the two dating back to 2020–21, during which they had even contemplated marriage. They claimed that Chadhar had provided significant personal and financial support throughout their relationship and argued that the harassment claims contradicted their past ties. They also indicated that supporting evidence would be presented to investigators.
Saqib Chadhar, elected from PP-97 Chiniot in 2024 and subsequently joining the PML-N, remains under investigation as authorities continue to scrutinize the claims from both parties.
