SHC orders removal of Ayyan’s name from ECL

Supermodel's lawyer Latif Khosa argued that placing her name on ECL was violation of fundamental rights, Constitution

A divisional bench of the Sindh High Court (SHC) on Monday ordered the removal of supermodel Ayyan’s name from the Exit Control List (ECL).

The SHC had, last month, reserved its order on the supermodel's petition against the placement of her name on ECL.

Headed by Justice Ahmed Ali M Sheikh, the division bench reserved its verdict after hearing arguments from the federal law officer and her lawyer. Ali, who was arrested over alleged currency smuggling, had moved the high court against the ban on her movement outside the country.



Earlier, the court had directed the Customs authorities to file comments on the Ayyan's petition.

Following which 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 supermodel had approached the SHC, 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, Sardar Latif Khosa, argued that placing her name on the ECL was a violation of fundamental rights as well as a violation of Article 18 of the Constitution.



Earlier on December 1, a customs court in Rawalpindi had returned Ayyan’s passport after she submitted two surety bonds worth Rs1 million each, and a document of personal guarantee.

The supermodel was arrested by customs officials from Benazir Bhutto International Airport, Islamabad on March 14 after $506,800 were recovered from her luggage. She was released from Adiala Jail in Rawalpindi after almost four months in detention.



She was indicted in the money laundering case but denies the charges.