Money laundering case: Govt petitions SC against removal of Ayyan’s name from ECL

Expresses concern that she may exit to escape proceedings

ISLAMABAD: The federal government has approached the Supreme Court to appeal against the Sindh High Court’s order calling for the removal of Pakistani Model Ayyan Ali’s name from the Exit Control List (ECL).

The federal government through Collector of Customs Model Customs Collectorate on Tuesday filed an appeal through Farogh Nawaz Lodhi advocate against the SHC’s March 7 order, wherein the interior secretary was directed to immediately remove Ayyan’s name from the ECL and submit compliance report within 14 days.

The supermodel was arrested by customs officials from Benazir Bhutto International Airport, Islamabad on March 14, 2015 after $506,800 was recovered from her luggage. She was released from Adiala Jail in Rawalpindi after almost four months in detention. She has already been indicted in the money laundering case but denies the charges.

The appeal states that all prosecution evidences will be recorded on March 24 and trial is expected to conclude in a short time span, if the petitioner extends due cooperation and seriousness.

The government has expressed apprehension that there is a chance that Ayyan may leave the country to escape the proceedings, adding that if she seriously considers herself innocent then appropriate course of action is to pray for expeditious trial.

The appeal says that the impugned judgment is illegal, unlawful without jurisdiction and authority and also against facts on record.

“As per facts and in the circumstances of the case, the high court has failed in determination of very important legal aspects to the serious prejudice of the petitioner (government)”

The appeal contends that the SHC had erred in appreciating the facts in their true context.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 16^th, 2016.