Court opened investigation into Sanchez's wife in response to a complaint by anti-corruption pressure group, whose leader is linked to the far right
europe2 hours ago
Lahore - A court granted bail on Tuesday to a model jailed for four months on charges of attempting to smuggle out of the country more than half a million dollars in cash, her lawyer said.
Ayyan Ali's famous grey eyes have fronted campaigns for designer clothes, ice-cream and mobile phones. But her career crashed down after the 21-year-old singer of 'Making Dollars' was detained at Islamabad airport on March 14 with a case stuffed with hundred-dollar bills.
By law, no more than $10,000 in cash may be taken out of Pakistan. Ayyan says she was waiting to give the funds from a property sale to her brother, who was arriving on a flight.
"She will be out of jail, probably by tomorrow evening," said her lawyer Khurram Latif Khosa, after the Lahore High Court granted bail on Tuesday.
The case shone a spotlight on the lax enforcement of laws against money laundering and smuggling in the nuclear-armed nation of 180 million people that is plagued by drug trafficking, militancy, corruption and crime.
Politicians frequently accuse each other of smuggling large sums of ill-gotten cash abroad, but the crumbling justice system is rarely able to investigate or prove such claims in court.
Ayyan's case has riveted Pakistanis, many of whom feel she was unfairly singled out. A Facebook page demanding her freedom has attracted more than 87,000 fans.
Commentators have speculated on Ayyan's ties to the powerful elite after several politicians and one of Pakistan's most famous tycoons publicly denied any connection with her.
Ayyan made her first court appearance in an all-concealing traditional burqa, but later wore large sunglasses, jeans and hooded sweatshirts.
"She was a bit disturbed behind bars, but she never showed that she was getting demoralized," Khosa said. "She always attended the court's proceedings with a fresh look."
Court opened investigation into Sanchez's wife in response to a complaint by anti-corruption pressure group, whose leader is linked to the far right
europe2 hours ago
Chang'e-6 to return with soil samples from moon's far side; the mission expected to last 53 days
asia2 hours ago
The breed, prized for profitability and an ability to adapt to climate change, garners celebrity status in the Central Asian country
asia2 hours ago
Thousands of schools have suspended classes due to the heat, affecting more than 3.6 million students, education ministry data shows
asia3 hours ago
Despite the growing market share of domestic automakers, Teslas remain among the best-selling EVs in the Asian country
auto3 hours ago
The entire plan will see cow-breeding and poultry projects come up near the massive wheat farm and the dairy farm will form the third phase
uae3 hours ago
Modi, 73, remains resoundingly popular after a decade in office, and he is widely expected to win a third term
asia3 hours ago
With over seven years of experience in branding and social media, and three years in motion graphics and editing, Arkan's expertise spans a wide range of creative domains
kt network3 hours ago