KARACHI: The Sindh High Court (SHC) on Wednesday issued notices to the Federal Interior Ministry, FIA director general, deputy attorney general and others on an contempt application filed by Super Model Ayyan Ali, requesting it to initiate contempt proceedings against the respondents for not removing her name from the exit control list (ECL) despite the court’s orders.
A two-member bench, headed by justice Ahmed Ali M Sheikh also directed the respondents to file their comments on May 4, 2016.
Earlier, the counsel for the petitioner stated that in March 2016, SHC directed the authorities concerned to strike her name off the ECL. However, the authorities suspended the operation on the request of the 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 removed her name from the ECL.
After the SC’s verdict, Ayyan had booked the ticket to go abroad but she was stopped from leaving the country at Jinnah International Airport on April 20. Ayyan was told that her name was still in the ECL.
On the grievance, the super model approached the apex court, seeking contempt of court proceedings against the responsible for not removing her name from the ECL, but the top court told her to move the SHC regarding the issue.
The matter was started on March 15, 2015 when Ayyan was arrested from Benazir Bhutto Shaheed Airport, Islamabad. She was allegedly trying to smuggle half million US dollars. The passport of Ayyan and $500,000 were also confiscated by the customs authorities.