ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court has suspended the decision of Sindh High Court (SHC) for removing the dollar girl Ayyan Ali’ s name from Exit Control List (ECL) and sought a reply from respondent within a week.
A three-member bench headed by Justice Ijaz Afzal Khan, comprising Justice Qazi Faiz Esa and Justice Maqbool Baqar heard the appeal filed by Islamabad Customs Collector Arslan Subuctagaen against SHC decision.
Counsel for customs Farhat Nawaz Lodhi argued that Ministry of Interior had put the model’s name on ECL through a memorandum, adding that the model could file an appeal against in the court of customs collector but she did not. He further said that not challenging the memorandum was meant that she accepted it. The customs’ counsel prayed to the court for declaring the decision of SHC as null and void.
On the other hand, Ayyan’s counsel Sardar Latif Khosa stated that his client could file appeal against putting her name on ECL within 15 days but she got information about it after three months. He asked the court to dispose of the appeal.
After hearing the arguments, the SC stayed Sindh High Court (SHC) decision and asked the counsel for respondent to file the reply within a week, besides adjourning the case for one week.
Meanwhile, the Special Court of Customs Taxation and Anti-Smuggling has adjourned the model’s case until March 24 as the counsel for Ayyan did not attend the hearing.
Special Judge Rana Aftab Khan said that the court was giving last chance of arguments in the money laundering case and warned that court will utilise its authority if debate was not made on next hearing.
It may mention here that customs staff had apprehended the model from Benazir Bhutto International Airport when she was allegedly trying to smuggle the $506,800 to abroad violating the anti money laundering act. Later, she was produced before a Rawalpindi Customs Court where she was sent to Adial Jail.
After proceeding of four months, the court granted her bail and returned passport against surety bonds, besides putting her name on the ECL.
Accepting Ayyan Ali’ petition on March 7, challenging placement of her name on the ECL, the SHC’ division bench issued directives to the Ministry of Interior to remove her name form the ECL allowing her to travel abroad if she so desire.
