ISLAMABAD: The federal government has asked the Supreme Court of Pakistan to set aside the Sindh High Court’s verdict of removing Ayyan Ali’s name from the Exit Control List (ECL).
The SHC ordered the Ministry of Interior to immediately remove the name of Ayyan Ali from the ECL on March 07. However, the operation of the judgement was suspended for a period of 15 days in the interest of justice in response to federation’s request in the matter.
Federal Interior Ministry filed an appeal in the apex court against the SHC decision submitting that soon after placing Ayyan’s name on the ECL she was properly sent a notice. It said that the accused model could have exercised the right of appeal before the Interior Ministry against her name on the ECL but she didn’t approach the ministry. The ministry submitted that the SHC verdict is unjustified and a violation of law, saying Ayyan has not exhausted the relevant forum.
Ayyan Ali was arrested under Anti-Money Laundering Act in 2015 when an amount of $506,800 was recovered from her luggage at Benazir Bhutto International Airport Islamabad. The Customs officials produced her before a Special Customs Court Rawalpindi which sent her to Rawalpindi’ Adiala Jail. Later, the court accepted her bail application after four months besides returning her travel documents against a surety and a guarantee.
