“Momina Is Not My Mother”: Saqib Chadhar and Irshad Bhatti Exchange Barbs Over Momina Iqbal
ISLAMABAD: A war of words between Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) Punjab Assembly member Saqib Chadhar and actress Momina Iqbal took an interesting turn during journalist Irshad Bhatti’s podcast, where the lawmaker openly discussed the controversy and responded to questions about his relationship with the actress.
During the podcast, Irshad Bhatti asked Saqib Chadhar whether Momina Iqbal had helped him prepare for the election, including teaching him how to speak, deliver speeches, dress and conduct his campaign.
Responding to the question, Saqib said, “If she did tell me, then thank you very much, but I will not comment on it.” He rejected the allegations against him and said he had learned how to walk and speak from his mother, adding, “Momina Iqbal is not my mother.”
Saqib also accused Momina Iqbal of allegedly using the “woman card” in the dispute. He warned that if his wife came forward and spoke about the matter in a podcast, the situation could change significantly.
مومنہ اقبال میری ماں تو نہیں ہے!!!ثاقب چدھڑ
الیکشن کی تیاری آپکو مومنہ اقبال نے کروائی!!کیسے بولنا ہے کیسے تقریر کرنی ہے کیسے کپڑے پہننے ہیں فوٹو شوٹ سب مومنہ نے آپکو بتایا۔۔ویسے بڑے خوش قسمت ہیں آپ۔۔ ارشاد بھٹی
بڑی مہربانی اگر اس نے بتایا تو۔ میں اس پر کوئی کمنٹ نہیں کرونگا… pic.twitter.com/QoWgcGVvBu
— Exact Press International (@ExactPressIntl) September 9, 2026
Referring during the live podcast to an Instagram story attributed to Momina Iqbal, Irshad Bhatti said the actress had claimed that if she released a 50-second voice note of Saqib’s wife, the entire narrative surrounding the controversy would collapse.
Bhatti further referred to Momina’s alleged remarks about what she described as a system of “open marriages” in Pakistan, in which both sides attempt to protect each other.
Defending his wife, Saqib took an oath and said he had never seen her miss a prayer since their Hajj in 2019. He also made a contrasting claim about Momina Iqbal.
During the podcast, Saqib Chadhar also acknowledged that he had fallen in love with Momina Iqbal at first sight.
The remarks have added another chapter to the ongoing public controversy involving the actress and the PML-N lawmaker, with statements from both sides drawing attention on social media.
