LHC admits Ayyan Ali's acquittal plea for hearing

E-Paper | May 02, 2026

LAHORE: Supermodel Ayyan Ali on Thursday filed an acquittal plea in Lahore High Court (LHC) a week after the special customs court hearing the money laundering case against her had rejected a similar petition.

The model's counsel, Sadar Latif Khosa, filed the acquittal plea in LHC on her behalf. The court admitted the plea and adjourned the hearing till Friday (tomorrow).

The special court of customs, excise and taxation in Rawalpindi had dismissed Ali's acquittal plea on November 6 and summoned the model for hearing today. The court had observed that there was sufficient evidence on the basis of which the supermodel can be tried by the court.

However Ayyan did not appear in the customs court today and requested exemption from appearance on medical grounds. The request for exemption was granted by the court.

On the other hand, her counsel filed an acquittal plea in the Lahore High Court.

Ayyan Ali was arrested on charges of money laundering earlier in March this year after being caught with over half a million dollars by customs officials at Islamabad's Benazir Bhutto International Airport.

The supermodel was granted bail in July after spending around four months in Rawalpindi's notorious Adiala Jail ─ and after her judicial remand was extended 16 times.

Sadar Latif Khosa had earlier said his client had been arrested on false charges of money laundering. He said the Customs Act lacked interpretation of attempted money laundering. He said the petitioner had not been allowed to record her statement after the arrest, which was mandatory under Section 139 of the act.

The counsel said the petitioner had told the investigators at a very initial stage that she had got the money by selling property. He said the petitioner had carried the money to the airport to hand it over to her brother who was arriving from Dubai the same day.

He further said that Ayyan is an honourable girl and that she was framed in this case under a 'conspiracy'.

Editorial : Bail for Ayyan Ali

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Pakistan

Imran Gabol is a Lahore-based reporter for Dawn with over a decade of experience in journalism. He covers politics, climate change, human rights, education, and metropolitan affairs. He can be found on X at @gabolizm.

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Parvez

Nov 12, 2015 12:52pm

This girl will go free...... because those connected with her are above the Law.

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Amir Shah

Nov 12, 2015 01:12pm

She was caught red handed with half million dollar and yet her lawyer seeks her acquittal, I wonder how can these people sleep at night, do they have any conscious at all. Why different rules for elite and poor.

Recommend 0

El Cid

Nov 12, 2015 01:41pm

Let the girl go. Catch the big fish if you dare.

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Ayesha Malik

Nov 12, 2015 01:43pm

@Amir bhai, at end of the day we have to follow rule n regulations.

Recommend 0

Harmony-1

Nov 12, 2015 02:04pm

@Amir Shah - Her lawyer is right to "seek her acquittal" as every defendant gets defence lawyer, even murderers. But it's the court which should give justice.

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Muhammad Usman

Nov 12, 2015 02:53pm

If a common man will be carrying that much money will he get such excuses. She was caught red handed. What is stopping courts to send her to prison.

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Baaligh

Nov 12, 2015 02:58pm

Due to having been much prolonged by the prosecution officer this case is likely to be buried under the carpet in due course of time because big fish are involved and in this God gifted country of ours big fish are always allowed to escape punishment on one pretext or the other.

Recommend 0

Shaukat Ali Khan

Nov 12, 2015 03:03pm

medical grounds ???

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Pakistani

Nov 12, 2015 03:16pm

@Baaligh Justice delayed is justice denied.

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Haris

Nov 12, 2015 03:18pm

she arrested red handedly and after the gentleman officer who arrested brutally murdered. what a creep

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Steve Waugh

Nov 12, 2015 03:26pm

My question to all those who lauded for democracy? If a common girl without having such backing like Ayyan Ali would be given same treatment ?? my answer is NO. that common girl might sent to jail , sentenced. This is not democracy Please for God sake stand up for your rights else they will destroyed us.

Recommend 0

Kandhkoti

Nov 12, 2015 03:41pm

This is a test case for the government and for the court of justice. On the one hand is our country and its law and on the other, a model with the backing of big shots. Let us see who wins the race.

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R T

Nov 12, 2015 03:44pm

What type of Medical ground... need explanation. Ayyan is honorable girl , why everyone knows so let her go and try to catch real culprit

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khanm

Nov 12, 2015 05:57pm

@Amir Shah... Three things cannot be hidden.The sun The moon and the truth... with the right connection in Pakistan you can hide every thing and any thing......

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Ayan (Super Hero Not Super Model)

Nov 12, 2015 06:36pm

The decision is "Acquitted". Now, you are still Supermodel next time you can go with 1.o M but with proper coordination!

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Naveed

Nov 12, 2015 09:31pm

Make her a State witness with protection and prosecute the real economic terrorists, this were plea bargaining should be offered.

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Nadeem

Nov 12, 2015 10:58pm

Cannot understand when a customs court tries to indict her after 32 hearings, and now LHC would be reviewing the case...simply amazing. Everyone knows big guns are behind her and no one dares to put a hand on them...

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mohammed

Nov 13, 2015 06:13am

This is the right time that law should show once for good that the law is equal for every one punish her and the group hiding behind her and also punish Khosa for standing against the law.

Recommend 0

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