LHC orders release of model Ayyan Ali on bail

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LHC orders release of model Ayyan Ali on bail

Dawn.com Tauqir Ghumman Published July 14, 2015

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LAHORE: The Lahore High Court (LHC) on Tuesday has ordered the release of supermodel Ayyan Ali on bail, exactly four months after she was arrested on charges of currency smuggling on March 14, DawnNews reported.

After the LHC and a Rawalpindi customs court rejected her previous petitions, her most recent application was successful today.

The supermodel was an inmate at Rawalpindi's Adiala jail. ─ AP/File

Previously, the supermodel sought bail adopting the stance that she went to the airport to hand the money over to her brother who was arriving in the city that day via an Emirates flight.

The LHC registrar had declared this bail plea of Ayyan as not maintainable under the objection that a petition for bail had already been rejected by the LHC.

Counsel for Ayyan, Khurrum Latif Khosa had said that the earlier rejected plea was against a customs court, while the fresh bail petition directly addresses the LHC.

Justice Abdul Sami of the LHC had taken her lawyer's view into consideration and declared that a separate bail petition before the LHC is maintainable.

Ayyan recently addressed the court for the first time, alleging that she was facing discriminatory treatment during the trial of the currency smuggling case against her. She claimed that while others facing similar charges are released on bail she has been behind bars for months.

She had pointed out that the other accused caught carrying double or triple the amount in their bags were released on bail after a couple of weeks but her request for bail was being denied.

The supermodel was arrested at Islamabad’s Benazir Bhutto International Airport on March 14 on charges of money laundering after being caught with over half a million dollars by customs officials.

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gaz

Jul 14, 2015 01:38pm

Don't matter where in the country the corruption occurs the Lahore courts will come to your rescue. Remind me again who controls Lahore

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Muhammad Iqbal

Jul 14, 2015 01:38pm

Her name will never be put on ECL. She will catch the earliest flight to Dubai and will never return. She has a super studio apartment in Dubai. Moreover, all her sympathisers are in Dubai and well off. Kahani qatam

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Harmony-1

Jul 14, 2015 01:41pm

So, she gets out for Eid!

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Waheed khan

Jul 14, 2015 01:42pm

might is right. I wonder how much this judge was paid. Pathetic accountability.

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Nawaz

Jul 14, 2015 01:44pm

There is no doubt that the present govt is now protecting zardari corruption

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Dumbfounded

Jul 14, 2015 01:45pm

She will quit the country for good.

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Haroon

Jul 14, 2015 01:46pm

Look at how the policeman on the left is looking at her in the pic..

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Sharique - Munich

Jul 14, 2015 01:46pm

Look at the mischievous eyes and lusty smile of the fat policeman in background !!! ;)

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Imran AB

Jul 14, 2015 01:47pm

Why keep her locked up and deny bail when others are released .......... Let the case proceed !!!

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G.Nabi

Jul 14, 2015 01:51pm

It was a clear cut case of money laundering, yet in last 4 months it could not be proved that she was just a carrier of half a million $ for someone else ? Big fish truly got away.

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Zak

Jul 14, 2015 01:51pm

criminals are released in my crime free country criminals are super above law

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J ali

Jul 14, 2015 01:53pm

Only poor get punished in pakistan.

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Asim

Jul 14, 2015 01:53pm

Disgusting...

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Basit

Jul 14, 2015 01:55pm

What message they are giving to the world that Pakistan has no law and order

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Observer

Jul 14, 2015 01:59pm

Dont be amazed dear Pakistanis..... many are out enjoying free air tough they have charges on them. Take it easy

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Jul 14, 2015 02:00pm

Finally LHC delivered justice. 4 months in jail without bail was cruel because of our inefficient legal system which needs serious reforms

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Zak

Jul 14, 2015 02:00pm

This is my country where you are free to do any sort of crime and get free pass afterwards

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Naveed

Jul 14, 2015 02:02pm

Alhumdolillah at last someone with a human heart listened to this poor girl.

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Amir Mahmood

Jul 14, 2015 02:03pm

It was unfair that her bail petition was rejected twice before as most of the influential people would have not even gone that far.

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Shehzad Zafar

Jul 14, 2015 02:03pm

Thats good. She was right that law should be equal for all accused.

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Syed

Jul 14, 2015 02:03pm

Plane is ready for her at airport.

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Noman Sidiki

Jul 14, 2015 02:05pm

Thankx God.. Our supermodel azad...

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Dr Khan

Jul 14, 2015 02:07pm

Justice done to super model.She should be given some compensation for keeping her in jail for 4 months.

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Irfan

Jul 14, 2015 02:08pm

Justice delayed and justice denied. Big question mark on our judiciary system.

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Harmony-1

Jul 14, 2015 02:10pm

@Noman Sidiki - What "supermodel". She was barely known before this act.

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Abdullah

Jul 14, 2015 02:13pm

That look from the police constable to Ayyan sumarizes everything perfectly.

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Ozair

Jul 14, 2015 02:14pm

Even tho she committed a crime, she's right about the double standards in Pakistan, really worried about the affairs of the country, people with connections are carrying millions of dollars through the airports everyday without even having someone lay a finger on them and on the other hand models are being locked up for months lol

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Khurram S

Jul 14, 2015 02:14pm

The smile on that policeman face.

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Aftab Alam Khan

Jul 14, 2015 02:16pm

Who are those accused carrying double or triple the amount in their bags were released on bail?

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mustafa

Jul 14, 2015 02:20pm

Well getting bail is fair but the case must conclude and need to get to bottom , may be wishful thinking

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Salih

Jul 14, 2015 02:22pm

@Irfan ..... Agreed

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BaiG

Jul 14, 2015 02:25pm

She was caught red handed and still she get the bail. Vow our Judicial System

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Realist

Jul 14, 2015 02:26pm

Who are "the other accused caught carrying double or triple the amount in their bags were released on bail after a couple of weeks"? Their names, and their backers' names must be published.

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Hassan

Jul 14, 2015 02:35pm

Its nice that she can spend Eid with family and friends....

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AK Kenya

Jul 14, 2015 02:52pm

Another credibility question mark

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Amir

Jul 14, 2015 02:54pm

People with money and political backing can wake away from any crime. I have had a alot of hopes from PML N but nothing has changed in their Gov Tenure. No reforms at all. PML N be ready for the next election defeat and PTI be ready for next Gov in Centre and NS has let whole nation down with his actions.

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Jul 14, 2015 02:58pm

At least she got popular

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Jul 14, 2015 03:01pm

Political career waiting ahead

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Ali sikandar chachar

Jul 14, 2015 03:01pm

Actually, after her arrest she became famous, otherwise, people didn't know her much before this negative act. It proved blessing in disguise for her.

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Shah

Jul 14, 2015 03:14pm

I am not amazed as if you want to get in thoroughly then give some free access to the culprit. She will be definitely engage after sometime when the agency will come to know who the real boss was....

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JUSTICE

Jul 14, 2015 03:17pm

Pre planned, bail is path to freedom, she will go out of country and will never return, PML-N government is protecting Zardari corruption, otherwise they would have put travel band on her util final court decision.

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Uhamir Patrick

Jul 14, 2015 03:20pm

So finally after a long stay behind the bars, she goes back to home sweet home...

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Jul 14, 2015 03:21pm

If they want to release her then why after 4 months this shows criminals are super duper hit above law

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Muhammed ali

Jul 14, 2015 03:26pm

People who have tried to sell Pakistan are roaming freely. .....so even though she might have done wrong this was really harsh.

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kuriouskat

Jul 14, 2015 03:28pm

She was safer behind the bars..and for her own sake should have stayed there. The big fish behind her, may want to send her on a one way ticket to where one cant take any bags,, money or otherwise.

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Parvez

Jul 14, 2015 03:30pm

I wonder who got rich.......real fast.

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Syed Atif Jafri

Jul 14, 2015 03:31pm

She was better off in Jail. Her "friends" now going to deal with her and whole case will go away. We will never get to real characters behind all this.

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Muzaffar Ali

Jul 14, 2015 03:36pm

God Bless her struggle....

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Dr Khan

Jul 14, 2015 03:37pm

Would anybody take notice of the brutal murder of custom officer who was investigating this case?I salute the Justice system of Pakistan!

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Dr Khan

Jul 14, 2015 03:39pm

FIA could not trace the phone calls made from Ayaan Ali phones after four months of investigations!.How efficient our agencies are!

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Zuhaib

Jul 14, 2015 03:42pm

so party time over for wardens..!!

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Pakistani by Heart

Jul 14, 2015 03:45pm

Justice delayed and justice denied.

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Arslan

Jul 14, 2015 03:47pm

She would've been convicted and sentenced if this crime had taken place at a KPK airport.

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The Ghost of Marx

Jul 14, 2015 03:48pm

Why is the policeman on the left of the picture so happy?

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khanm

Jul 14, 2015 03:54pm

Can any one explain it to me the bail that was not maintainable has all of a sudden became maintainable.. what was the logic then and what is the logic now..

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Nilesh

Jul 14, 2015 03:58pm

Why did they rejected twice earlier? And why granted third time?? Out of logic.... But she is rally good at heart hnce happy for her

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Habib

Jul 14, 2015 04:00pm

This has to be happend.poor custom officer who lost his life.what he and country has got by his sacrifice ?????

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adnan

Jul 14, 2015 04:01pm

While the Indian courts today decided to ban Chenai and Rajhastan without worry about financial and other repercussions, we decide to release a red handed convict. Sad Sad day for Pakistan. Tells us why India is moving up the ladder, we are climbing down off, right there.

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excuse me

Jul 14, 2015 04:03pm

Soon she will be seen in fashion magazines outside Pakistan

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Jwinzz

Jul 14, 2015 04:05pm

Our media must have some etiquette. They have almost destroyed her image, respect and career, even before any final proceedings of the courts. There are some Urdu TV anchors who have created great novels and fantasies about her life and career. Just for ratings. And our social media expertsocial know more than anyone else can.

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Saeed Ahmed

Jul 14, 2015 04:15pm

This was in cards. Very powerful people behind the scenes were working hard to make it happen.

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IFFTI

Jul 14, 2015 04:18pm

Now HE can breath easy again :)

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tahir uk

Jul 14, 2015 04:34pm

Give every criminal a bail

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Mohammad Khan

Jul 14, 2015 04:54pm

I am so relieved. Will see her in Dubai soon?????

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cute ayan ali

Jul 14, 2015 05:14pm

is it the good decision of court? http://www.rawalpindiforum.pk/thread-1035.html

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waleed

Jul 14, 2015 05:32pm

yahoooo...

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a ali

Jul 14, 2015 05:38pm

this was bound to happen. she will fly to Dubai soon. Pakistan is a country where no one is evil intent, no one is bad, neither was Ayan Ali.

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taher

Jul 14, 2015 06:17pm

Congrates Ayyan

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Just Someone

Jul 14, 2015 06:29pm

What if she runs away?

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Ammar

Jul 14, 2015 07:03pm

Lets hope the courts made the right decision! Its not about Ayyan Ali but rather the credibility of the Justice system in Pakistan. Right now we are all on the same page to eliminate corruption. Lets hope she doesn't disappear somewhere. It will result in people doubting our Judiciary and they will be the ones to blame.

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Cyrus

Jul 14, 2015 07:08pm

@G.Nabi ..... Will the money get away?

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Muhammad iqbal

Jul 14, 2015 07:56pm

@Nawaz . Dont you know who was her lawyer. The ex governor of punjab. His fees starts with a million. Who paid . Ayyan had few hundred rupees in her purse.

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nac Paris

Jul 14, 2015 07:56pm

What a incredible drama. Had she been caught in Dubai upon arrival she already would have been serving sentence. What an incredible argument by Khosa that she was carrying 500,000 dollar in cash to give to her brother who was arriving from Dubai but forgot to mention how did she happen to be in a departure hall whereas his brother would be arriving in arrival hall. Khosa is just trying to protect his party member involved in this scandal.

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Malhi

Jul 14, 2015 08:15pm

What a shame!. If this would had happened in any of the developed countries, such as USA the courts would taker over all here properties as a fruit of poisonous tree and rid her from fame and luxury.

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Tariq Mahmood

Jul 14, 2015 08:31pm

I speak for the countless fellow citizens that share in my belief in acknowledging that Pakistan, as a state, is beyond redemption. How can any legal system worth its salt, anywhere in the world, catch a criminal red handed in the act and not have the ability to make a swift case against that individual in a court of law. This is incredible and beyond a joke!!

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Imran Ahmed

Jul 14, 2015 08:35pm

The law should always follow due process. Her bail for a currency smuggling case is long overdue. Victimization is not justice. Well done Mr. Justice for having the guts to administer the law without favour and without fear of mob mentality.

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Ahmed

Jul 14, 2015 08:44pm

Typical for Pakistani courts and policing. You can never expect anything resolved or any big fish get punishment. It's common man who has to alway suffer not the influentials with corruption money in their pockets.

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waqar ali

Jul 14, 2015 08:53pm

I think the prison food makes her look more slim and fit for a super model role. She might end up making more money from movies and talk shows.

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Sub se pehle pakistan

Jul 14, 2015 09:15pm

And let the thousands of unfortunate poor languish for years in Pakistani jails, while waiting for a trial.

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Jawwad

Jul 14, 2015 10:57pm

Back to square one. What was the purpose of this futile exercise?

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Faith

Jul 14, 2015 11:14pm

Very sad decision indeed this will hurt justice reputation once again.....

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Jul 14, 2015 11:31pm

Powerful and rich get speedy relief from courts. Same story everywhere...

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Jul 15, 2015 01:52am

@nac Paris ...and she still got bail. That says a lot about our judicial courts, doesn't it?

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Naseer

Jul 15, 2015 03:51am

As expected LHC did its job , people knew it she would be out, it seems LHC is promoting corruption, also shame on Custom procucution for not presenting the case properly and working under pressure .all those people , agencies and Lahore high court Fail the people of Pakistan. That's why we want Miltary courts in Pakistan.

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Farooq

Jul 15, 2015 04:50am

She should not have been arrested in the first place. The bogus charges need to be dropped. What a shame that the system can seek to punish a child who maybe a progressive model. She deserves to live in better country.

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razi

Jul 15, 2015 06:24am

After so much hue and cry and the fact that we as a nation actually admire the corrupt people except a few among us who have almost given up, let us finally legalize corruption. Hail Corruption!!

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freedom

Jul 15, 2015 11:49am

Money talks!

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