The National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) has registered a case against PML-N lawmaker Saqib Chadhar under the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA) over allegations of cyber harassment, blackmail and threats against actor and model Momina Iqbal.
The case was lodged after Iqbal submitted a complaint to the NCCIA, accusing the Punjab Assembly member of harassment and intimidation through electronic means.
According to the FIR, Chadhar, along with his wife and several associates, allegedly subjected the actor to cyber harassment, blackmail and unlawful surveillance, while also threatening her and members of her family.
The complaint states that Momina Iqbal rejected Chadhar’s marriage proposal after discovering that he was already married. Following the refusal, the lawmaker allegedly began pressuring her by sending private videos and threatening to leak personal information unless she agreed to marry him.
Investigators further alleged that Chadhar made false accusations against the actor in 2023, which reportedly led to the collapse of an earlier marriage proposal involving Iqbal.
The FIR also claims that threatening messages were sent to the actor, her husband, her sister and other family members. Authorities said some of the messages were traced to a phone number allegedly linked to Chadhar.
According to investigators, videos allegedly used for blackmail were recovered from Iqbal’s mobile phone, while her sister, a lawyer, provided additional video evidence related to the alleged threats.
The NCCIA has seized the video material and a mobile phone as digital evidence and sent them for forensic analysis. The FIR further alleges that the provincial lawmaker deleted data and applications from his mobile phone before handing the device over to investigators.
Earlier, Saqib Chadhar appeared at the office of the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency in Lahore along with his wife Samira. He recorded his statement before the investigation team.
Officials said the inquiry continued for nearly four hours at the NCCIA office.
Later, defence lawyer Mian Ali Ashfaq told reporters that the lawmaker and his wife submitted detailed responses along with what he called strong evidence.
He claimed the material could also be sent for forensic examination if required.
The lawyer further said the defence had “clear and conclusive proof” and suggested that the case appeared to be the opposite of what was alleged. He added that, according to their position, the allegations could instead point towards the complainant.
He said the investigation was still at an early stage and they would fully cooperate with legal proceedings.
