LAHORE: Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz has warned that any attempts to exert political pressure, abuse influence or exploit a woman by threatening to release “personal content” in the case involving actor Momina Iqbal and PML-N MPA Saqib Chadhar will be met with “firm and uncompromising action”.
In a tweet posted on Friday evening, the CM said the matter is a “personal issue” that will be “addressed strictly on merit and in accordance with the law”.
In a post on social media in which she tagged the PML-N leadership, Momina alleged that she had been subjected to “online harassment, cyberbullying, and death threats for a long time.”
She claimed that both she and her family had suffered severe mental stress and trauma because of the alleged conduct of the MPA, whose identity she did not disclose publicly. His identity was made public after the NCCIA summoned both of them to record their statements.
“A member of the provincial assembly belonging to the PML-N has been threatening me for an extended period. I repeatedly reported the matter to the NCCIA and the Federal Investigation Agency, but no action was taken,” she stated.
“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.
In her tweet, CM Maryam said she would not spare anyone found involved in attempting to harass, threaten, or exploit a woman. “No individual, regardless of status, position, or political connections, is above the law. State institutions will perform their duties independently, impartially, and in accordance with the Constitution and the law,” she said.
“Any attempt to exert political pressure, abuse influence, or exploit a woman through threats of releasing personal content publicly will be met with firm and uncompromising action. Consider this a clear and serious warning to anyone involved.”
On Thursday, Momina and Chadhar appeared before the NCCIA to record their statements.
The same day, Momina’s sister Advocate Rimsha Iqbal, who is fighting her case, told reporters that hurdles were being created in Momina’s marriage that was going to take place next month and threats were even hurled at her fiancé.
“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.
Chadhar’s lawyer, Mian Ashfaq told reporters that his client and 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 levelled against his client by the person who remained in relationship with him for such a long period of time did not make any sense.
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.
