LAHORE: Former model Ayyan Ali moved the Lahore High Court against an arrest warrant issued by the Customs court in a currency smuggling case.
“I want to appear before the trial court,” said Ayyan in her petition. She pleaded the court to grant her an opportunity to prove her innocence. She requested the court to get the Customs court’s arrest warrant reversed.
On March 9, the Customs court declared her a proclaimed offender in a smuggling case. The court issued a ‘permanent’ arrest warrant for her. A permanent arrest warrant means that she will be arrested whenever she arrives in Pakistan.
The customs court also ordered the relevant departments to halt the sale of her apartment in Karachi. The case was adjourned till March 16.
Ayyan was arrested on March 14, 2015 at the Islamabad airport while attempting to board a Dubai-bound flight while illegally carrying $500,000. During interrogations, she revealed names of several Pakistani politicians and models involved in money laundering practices. On July 16, 2015, she was released on bail.
