Model Ayyan Ali. PHOTO: AGHA MEHROZ/EXPRESS
KARACHI:
The Sindh High Court directed the Customs authorities on Monday to file comments on the petition of model Ayyan Ali, facing currency-smuggling charges, against placement of her name on the exit control list (ECL).
Ali had approached the high court seeking direction for the interior minister to remove her name from the ECL following her arrest for alleged currency smuggling last year. Ayyan's lawyer argued that placing her name on the ECL is a violation of fundamental rights as well as a violation of Article 18 of the Constitution.
On Monday the interior ministry filed comments stating that the petitioner's name was put on the ECL on the request of Customs authorities. The ministry said, since a case related to money laundering is pending adjudication against the petitioner, she could not be allowed to leave the country.
The additional advocate-general (AAG) requested for time to file comments on behalf of the relevant Customs authorities. The bench directed the law officer to file comments by February 17.
Earlier, authorities had returned Ayyan's passport after the Special Court of Customs, Excise and Taxation in Rawalpindi approved her plea in this regard. Ayyan was arrested from Islamabad's Benazir Bhutto International Airport on March 14, 2015 with around $500,000 en route to Dubai.
Published in The Express Tribune, February 9th, 2016.
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