A Lahore sessions court has granted an extension of interim pre-arrest bail to PML-N lawmaker Saqib Chadhar and his wife until July 28, as they face accusations of cyber harassment and blackmail against television actress Momina Iqbal. The decision came during a hearing on Monday where the investigating officer requested additional time to complete the probe. Main Developments Additional District and Sessions Judge Nusrat Ali Siddiqi presided over the proceedings, with Chadhar appearing alongside his legal team while his wife was absent. The National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) investigating officer cited the need for more time to finalize the investigation, prompting the court to extend the bail until July 28. The judge also directed the officer to submit a progress report at the next hearing. Background The case stems from a complaint filed by Momina Iqbal early last month, leading the NCCIA to register a case against Chadhar and his wife. The FIR, available with Dawn, includes charges under the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (Peca), specifically Sections 3 (unauthorized access), 4 (unauthorized copying), 21 (offenses against modesty), and 24 (cyber stalking), alongside Pakistan Penal Code provisions for criminal intimidation, evidence tampering, common intention, and abetment. Read also: 3 Key Takeaways from PM Shehbaz's Qatar Visit for Hamad's Passing According to the FIR, Iqbal alleged that Chadhar, his wife, and their associates waged a sustained campaign of cyber harassment, stalking, criminal intimidation, blackmailing, defamation, unlawful surveillance, and threats against her and her family. She claimed that after rejecting Chadhar's marriage proposal upon learning of his existing marriage, he retaliated by attempting to access her private data, sending violent content, and blackmailing her using private videos. Why It Matters This case highlights the growing intersection of political power and digital harassment in Pakistan, where public figures may exploit their influence to target individuals. The involvement of a sitting MPA and the use of cybercrime laws underscores the need for robust legal protections against online abuse, particularly for women in the entertainment industry. What's Next The next hearing is scheduled for July 28, when the investigating officer must present a progress report. Further extension of bail or potential charges will depend on the findings of the NCCIA investigation. The case also raises questions about the accountability of elected officials facing serious criminal allegations.