Pakistani actress Momina Iqbal has spoken publicly about the emotional distress she says she experienced shortly before her wedding, revisiting her ongoing dispute with Punjab Assembly member Saqib Chadhar during an interview with journalist Irshad Bhatti.
In the interview, Momina alleged that she faced harassment, blackmail and threats involving her private pictures and personal information. She said the situation became particularly difficult just 12 days before her wedding, when fears over the possible release of private material placed her under severe emotional pressure.
Momina described the period as one of the most difficult phases of her life and said the situation affected her deeply. She also spoke about reaching a point where she felt suicidal, highlighting the seriousness of the emotional impact she says the controversy had on her.
According to Momina’s account, the pressure was allegedly intended to create problems between her and her fiancé, Hamza. She said, however, that Hamza continued to stand by her despite the circumstances.
The actress described his support as an important source of strength during the period, saying that his decision to remain with her helped her cope with the situation instead of facing the pressure alone.
Momina also challenged parts of Saqib Chadhar’s account of their relationship. During the interview, she discussed disagreements over how and when they first met, how their communication developed and what Chadhar allegedly knew about her personal circumstances.
She reportedly presented chat records and other material during the interview, saying the documentation supported her version of events.
A major element of Momina’s allegations involves claims that private material was used, or allegedly threatened to be used, as a means of putting pressure on her. She said the possibility of her pictures and personal content being made public caused serious concern about her reputation and private life.
The dispute has already entered the legal process. The National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) registered a case following Momina’s complaint, with the matter involving allegations under provisions of the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act and the Pakistan Penal Code.
The investigation, however, remains ongoing. On September 3, the NCCIA issued fresh notices to both Momina Iqbal and Saqib Chadhar after new digital evidence emerged. The agency also formed a special investigation team headed by a deputy director-level officer to review the new evidence, previous records and other relevant material.
The special team was given one month to complete its inquiry and submit its findings to the NCCIA director general. Officials have also emphasized that it would be premature to declare either party guilty or innocent before the fresh investigation is completed.
Saqib Chadhar has separately given his own account of the dispute in an interview with Irshad Bhatti. His version of the relationship and the events surrounding the controversy differs from Momina’s allegations, meaning the central claims remain contested.
Momina has also disputed the impression that the dispute was primarily about obtaining money. In her account, she said her focus was on having her version of events acknowledged rather than simply reaching a financial settlement.
The latest developments have therefore kept the controversy unresolved, with both sides presenting different accounts while the NCCIA continues to examine the available evidence.
For Momina, her latest interview has brought renewed attention to the emotional pressure she says she experienced in the days leading up to her marriage, while the legal proceedings remain subject to the findings of the ongoing investigation.
