Punjab MPA booked under PECA Act in harassment case of actress

LAHORE: National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) has registered a case against Punjab Assembly member Saqib Chadher in connection with allegations of harassment and blackmail of actress Momina Iqbal, officials said.

According to the First Information Report (FIR), the case has been filed under the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA). The complainant alleged that Chadher and his associates engaged in blackmail and issued threats.

The FIR states that the suspect allegedly threatened to leak personal data if the actress did not agree to a marriage proposal. It also mentions that Momina Iqbal’s sister provided a video containing threats to the cybercrime agency.

Officials said the video and mobile phone have been taken into custody as digital evidence for forensic examination. The FIR also alleges that threatening messages were sent from the suspect’s number.

According to the complaint, Momina Iqbal initially refused the marriage proposal after learning about Chadher’s previous marriage, following which she was allegedly subjected to harassment and blackmail through private videos and false accusations.

The FIR further claims that the accused, along with his wife and associates, engaged in cyber harassment and illegal surveillance, repeatedly threatening the actress and her family.

It also alleges that the lawmaker deleted data and applications from his mobile phone before submitting it to investigators.

Momina Iqbal had recently filed a complaint with the NCCIA against the provincial lawmaker, prompting the registration of the case, officials added.