Pakistani model accused of smuggling cash bailed

Islamabad: A top Pakistani model Ayaan Ali was freed from a high-security jail near the capital on Thursday, four months after she was caught trying to fly out of the country with half a million dollars (Dh1.83 million) in cash stashed in her luggage, a defense lawyer said.

Ali, 21, has been in the government custody since March when authorities nabbed her at the VIP lounge of Islamabad’s airport.

Under Pakistani laws, no one can carry over $10,000 on a flight, but authorities found $506,800 tucked into her luggage at the time.

On Thursday, Ali’s lawyer, Latif Khosa, said his client was freed from the Adyala Jail in Rawalpindi, a city near Islamabad.

“Yes, I can confirm that Ayaan Ali has been freed under an order from the Lahore High Court,” Khosa told The Associated Press.

He said the court granted bail to Ali on Tuesday but the model was released on Thursday after her paperwork was completed.

Ali has been the focus of intense Pakistani media attention since authorities caught her on March 14.

Ali mostly remained tight-lipped during court hearings but her lawyer insisted that she didn’t want to take money outside Pakistan.

Khosa said Ali will attend any future court hearings, if she is summoned by the judge.