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PML-N MPA Saqib Chadhar and TV actress-model Momina Iqbal appeared before the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) on Thursday and recorded their statements after the actress accused the ruling party lawmaker of online harassment, sparking a debate on social media.

“Both the lawmaker and the actor spent quite a good time at the NCCIA Lahore office, along with their lawyers, and recorded their statements before a team of investigation officers,” an official told Dawn.

He said the actor levelled serious allegations of harassment and hurling death threats at her by the PML-N lawmaker from Chiniot, while the latter claimed that he remained friends with her for a long time and this was not a matter of harassment.

A source told Dawn that the NCCIA moved swiftly after Momina’s social media appeal went viral and drew the attention of senior PML-N leadership, especially Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz.

On Thursday, the Punjab police even provided security to Ms Momina, as confirmed by her sister.

In her online post, tagged to the PML-N leadership, Ms Momina alleged that she had been subjected to “online harassment, cyberbullying, and death threats for a long time”.

“A member of the provincial assembly belonging to the PML-N has been threatening me for an extended period. Instead of ensuring justice, attempts were allegedly made to suppress my complaints. Even individuals associated with the office of the chief minister tried to discourage me and silence the issue rather than allowing a fair investigation,” she claimed.

On Thursday Momina’s sister Advocate Rimsha Iqbal, who is fighting her case, told reporters that hurdles were being created in the marriage of Momina that was going to take place next month and even threats were hurled at her would-be husband.

“We have evidence to the claim Momina made against the MPA and presented it to the NCCIA,” she said and expressed the hope her sister would get justice.

On the other hand, counsel for MPA Chadhar, Mian Ashfaq told reporters that his client and Ms Momina had been friends since 2020-21.

“Both came close to marrying but couldn’t. Mr Chadhar provided massive social, administrative and financial benefits to Ms Momina during the last five years. We will provide the details of these benefits to the NCCIA,” he said and added that harassment allegations leveled against his client by the person who remained in relationship with him for such a long period of time did not make any sense.

Saqib Chadhar is an electable. He defeated both PML-N and PTI-backed candidates in PP-97, Chiniot, in the last polls held in 2024. After winning the seat, he joined the PML-N.

Originally published in Dawn, May 22nd, 2026