Pre-arrest bail of MPA Saqib Chadhar extended again, Momina Iqbal raises issues over legal procedure

Lahore sessions court again extended interim pre-arrest bail of Punjab MPA Saqib Chadhar and his wife as Pakistani actress Momina Iqbal questioned the legal procedure.

The court on Thursday extended the couple’s interim bail till July 13 and asked them to join the probe. A progress report was required from the prosecution at the following hearing.

Momina Iqbal took to Instagram Story after the proceedings and writing without identifying anyone explicitly, said that she earlier thought influence was restricted to Bhowana but now she feels that the full privilege of being an MPA is being used.

The actress said her reps were being harassed, followed and put under pressure in a number of ways.

Also, she sought to know whether similar treatment is given to situations involving regular residents or if the numerous adjournments are solely for powerful individuals.

The story first came to light in May when Momina Iqbal accused a provincial lawmaker of sustained internet harassment, cyberbullying and death threats.

Later, she mentioned Saqib Chadhar in her lawsuit, stating he threatened her and her fiancé after she refused his marriage proposal. She also said her sister had been getting threatening texts.

Earlier, Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz had issued a warning that no attempt to use political influence or coerce anyone in the case would be accepted.

It is pertinent to mention that on June 4, Pakistan’s National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) registered a case against Saqib Chadhar under cybercrime and other related sections. He was granted interim pre-arrest bail on June 5, which has been extended many times since.