A National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) official told a sessions court on Tuesday that investigators have found ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) Member of the Provincial Assembly (MPA) Saqib Chadhar guilty of harassing actor Momina Iqbal.

According to reports, NCCIA Lahore Station House Officer (SHO) Najam Bajwa informed the court of the development as Additional District and Sessions Judge Nusrat Ali Siddiqui heard pre-arrest bail petitions filed by Chadhar and his wife, who is also named in the case.

The couple appeared in court after their previous interim bail expired.

Bajwa told the court that the investigation against Chadhar stood complete and the cybercrime watchdog had established his guilt in the allegations levelled by Iqbal.

He added that Chadhar’s wife handed over her mobile phone to the NCCIA two days ago, and the agency had sent the device for forensic examination.

Iqbal’s counsel asked the court to reject the bail pleas, arguing that releasing the suspects on bail would put his client at risk, however, the judge extended the husband-wife duo’s bails until September 3, asking both sides to present final arguments at the next hearing.

Chadhar and his wife first secured pre-arrest bail on June 5, a day after the NCCIA registered a case against them.

“Saqib Khan Chadhar has been proven guilty through forensic evidence as well, and Sumaira Khan has just joined the investigation, knowing there is no mercy and no other option left. I know some ignorant people will still say that the sentence hasn’t been given yet. Of course, he is an MPA, it isn’t that easy for him to be punished. They only threaten and intimidate so that we withdraw the case. But every step is a milestone that brings us closer to the final destination: punishment for the acts done [sic],” Iqbal wrote while reacting to Tuesday’s proceedings.

It may be noted that the case gained attention in May after Iqbal’s social media appeal went viral and drew the attention of PML-N leadership, including Punjab Chief Minister (CM) Maryam Nawaz.

Iqbal had alleged that a PML-N MPA harassed and threatened her for a long time after she rejected his marriage proposal. She had said he later tried to blackmail her using WhatsApp messages and video calls, adding that her complaints to the NCCIA and FIA had borne no fruit.

Iqbal had gone on to allege that some individuals close to the CM’s office had tried to discourage her from pursuing the matter.

PML-N leadership had, however, then directed the NCCIA to take up the complaint. The agency had registered a case against Chadhar on June 4 under sections of the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA) and the Pakistan Penal Code (PPC), covering charges such as cyberstalking and criminal intimidation.