Pakistani actress Momina Iqbal has opened up about the intense emotional pressure she says she faced before her marriage, making serious allegations against Saqib Chadhar in an exclusive interview with journalist Irshad Bhatti.
Momina accused Saqib Chadhar of harassment, blackmail and threats, sharing details of the emotional distress she says she experienced during the controversy. According to the actress, the situation became extremely serious when she allegedly faced threats that her private pictures and other personal material could be posted online.
She said the fear of public exposure created immense pressure and left her emotionally devastated shortly before her wedding. Momina further claimed that Saqib believed the pressure would force Hamza to leave her, but said her fiancé stood firmly by her instead.
The actress described Hamza's support as a major source of strength during a period she says was filled with fear and emotional turmoil. According to her account, his decision to remain beside her helped her face the difficult situation rather than deal with it alone.
Momina also spoke about what she described as deception surrounding her relationship with Saqib. She disputed parts of his account about when they first met, how their communication developed and what he knew about her circumstances.
During the interview, she reportedly presented chat records and other documentation to challenge statements previously made by Saqib about their relationship and the timeline of their contact. Momina maintained that the digital material supported her version of events.
A major part of her allegations centres on the alleged use of private material as a means of pressure. She claimed that threats involving her pictures and other personal content made her fear that the material could be made public and affect her reputation and personal life.
Her earlier complaint also contained allegations of cyber harassment, threats and attempts to access or expose private information. The NCCIA subsequently registered a case following her complaint under relevant provisions of the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act and the Pakistan Penal Code.
Momina has also rejected the impression that her main objective was to receive money from Saqib. According to her account, she wanted the truth about the controversy to be publicly acknowledged rather than seeking a financial settlement.
The financial issue remains disputed, with Saqib presenting a different account during his own interview with Irshad Bhatti. In that separate interview, he discussed his version of the relationship and the wider controversy, including claims that have been reported by several media outlets.
Meanwhile, the legal case has taken another turn. On September 3, the NCCIA issued fresh notices to both Momina and Saqib after new digital evidence emerged and formed a special investigation team to examine the newly surfaced material along with records from the earlier investigation.
According to the NCCIA, the special team was given one month to complete its inquiry and submit its findings to the agency's director general. The agency also said it would be premature to declare either party guilty or innocent before the investigation was completed.
The development has kept the controversy unresolved, with Momina and Saqib continuing to present different accounts of their relationship and the events surrounding the case.