KARACHI: The Sindh High Court (SHC) on Friday issued notices to the federal interior ministry, DG FIA, DG immigration and deputy attorney general on a contempt application filed by model Ayyan Ali for not removing her name from Exit Control List (ECL) despite the court’s order.
A two-member bench, headed by Justice Ahmed Ali M Sheikh, heard the urgent application. During the hearing, the counsel for the petitioner submitted that Ayyan Ali wants to go abroad on urgent basis; therefore, the court may fix a date at the earliest. The court allowed the application and issued notices to the respondents for May 24, 2016.
Earlier in March 2016, the SHC directed the authorities concerned to remove her name from ECL, however, it suspended the operation of its own order on the request of attorney general as the government wanted to challenge the decision in the Supreme Court.
Ayyan did not have to wait too long as on April 13, the apex court upheld the decision of the SHC which ordered the removal her name from the ECL.
After the SC’s verdict, Ayyan had booked the ticket to go abroad for her professional assignments but she was stopped from leaving the country at Jinnah International Airport on April 20. Ayyan was told that her name still exists in the ECL.
On the grievance, the model approached the apex court, seeking contempt of court’s proceeding against the responsible for not removing her name from the ECL, but the top court told her to move the SHC regarding the issue.