PML-N MPA Saqib Chadhar and actress Momina Iqbal’s legal battle has taken another big turn. A court in Lahore has extended the interim bail of the lawmaker but what does the latest development mean for the high-profile cyber harassment case?

In the last hearing, the court had ordered Saqib Chadhar to cooperate fully with the investigators and ordered the prosecution to produce its record at the next hearing. His temporary bail has now been extended till July 28, giving him temporary legal relief as the investigation continues.

The case, filed by the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) under the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA), includes claims of cyber harassment, blackmail and online threats against actress Momina Iqbal. The court has not reviewed evidence or made any determinations on the allegations.

Momina Iqbal said that she has evidence for her claims and is ready to present it in the legal proceedings. Meanwhile, the court has stressed that the investigation must be concluded before any further legal steps are taken.

Note that extension of interim bail is not a verdict or an indication of innocence or guilt. Rather, it shields the accused from the investigators who are carrying out their investigation.

The next hearing is anticipated to be about the prosecution's record and the status of the investigation. All eyes will be watching how this closely watched case proceeds in the coming weeks.

Credit: Independent News Pakistan (INP)