ISLAMABAD: The Customs Appellate Tribunal has imposed a fine of Rs 14,000 on Ayyan Ali for not taking part in the proceedings of the cases at tribunal despite several notices served on her.
Tribunal’s division bench, comprising of Chairman, Justice (r) Manzoor Hussain and Ziauddin Wazir, was hearing the cases. Ali filed two cases including the one about money laundering.
The bench had time and again issued notices to Ayyan Ali and her counsel Latif Khosa. The tribunal then imposed the said fine in the wake of ignoring tribunal’s notices.
Ayyan Ali filed an application with the Customs Appellate Tribunal for early hearing of her restored appeal challenging the announcement of money laundering of $500,000 in March 2015.
Ayyan counsel argued that his client was innocent. Counsel had submitted that the department had not sufficient evidence to prove that the money laundering was being done. He asked the tribunal to set aside the announcement made by customs court. The bench then dated in office hearing.
Ayyan Ali’s counsel Sardar Latif Khosa paid a fine of Rs 10,000 for restoration of the case.
Earlier, the case was dismissed for non-prosecution by the appellant.
Ayyan Ali’s counsel Sardar Latif Khosa had filed the petition at the Customs Appellate Tribunal Islamabad challenging the decision of a lower customs court regarding the confiscation of $500,000 from Ayyan Ali and imposition of fine for trying to smuggle money out of Pakistan.
The customs court upheld the departmental decision on the confiscation of amount being smuggled abroad and also added fine of $500,000 (Same amount seized from her) on Ayyan.
