LHC orders release of model Ayyan Ali on bail

Published July 14, 2015
After the LHC and a Rawalpindi customs court rejected two previous petitions, the third application was successful today. ─ INP/File
After the LHC and a Rawalpindi customs court rejected two previous petitions, the third application was successful today. ─ INP/File

LAHORE: The Lahore High Court (LHC) on Tuesday has ordered the release of supermodel Ayyan Ali on bail, exactly four months after she was arrested on charges of currency smuggling on March 14, DawnNews reported.

After the LHC and a Rawalpindi customs court rejected her previous petitions, her most recent application was successful today.

The supermodel was an inmate at Rawalpindi's Adiala jail. ─ AP/File
The supermodel was an inmate at Rawalpindi's Adiala jail. ─ AP/File

Previously, the supermodel sought bail adopting the stance that she went to the airport to hand the money over to her brother who was arriving in the city that day via an Emirates flight.

The LHC registrar had declared this bail plea of Ayyan as not maintainable under the objection that a petition for bail had already been rejected by the LHC.

Read more: Supermodel Ayyan held for attempting to fly out with $500,000

Counsel for Ayyan, Khurrum Latif Khosa had said that the earlier rejected plea was against a customs court, while the fresh bail petition directly addresses the LHC.

Justice Abdul Sami of the LHC had taken her lawyer's view into consideration and declared that a separate bail petition before the LHC is maintainable.

Read more: Ayyan Ali finally breaks her silence

Ayyan recently addressed the court for the first time, alleging that she was facing discriminatory treatment during the trial of the currency smuggling case against her. She claimed that while others facing similar charges are released on bail she has been behind bars for months.

She had pointed out that the other accused caught carrying double or triple the amount in their bags were released on bail after a couple of weeks but her request for bail was being denied.

The supermodel was arrested at Islamabad’s Benazir Bhutto International Airport on March 14 on charges of money laundering after being caught with over half a million dollars by customs officials.

Read more: Footprints: Sympathy for the model

Opinion

Editorial

United stance
13 Nov, 2024

United stance

BEYOND rhetoric, unity is rare within the Muslim world. Yet it was reassuring to see Muslim states speak with one...
Unscheduled visit
13 Nov, 2024

Unscheduled visit

AN IMF mission is in Islamabad for unusual, early talks with the Pakistani authorities as the lender seems worried...
Bara’s businesswomen
13 Nov, 2024

Bara’s businesswomen

BARA tehsil, a region typically known for its security challenges and socioeconomic problems, can now boast the...
System failure
Updated 12 Nov, 2024

System failure

Relevant institutions often treat right to internet connectivity with the same disdain as they do civil and political rights.
Narrowing the gap
12 Nov, 2024

Narrowing the gap

PERHAPS a pat on the back is in order for the ECP. Together with Nadra, it has made visible efforts to reduce...
Back on their feet
12 Nov, 2024

Back on their feet

A STIRRING comeback in the series has ended Pakistan’s 22-year wait for victory against world champions Australia....