Summary Currency smuggling has not been proved yet and authorities want to register money laundering case
RAWALPINDI (Dunya News) – Hearing of model Ayyan Ali’s currency smuggling case was adjourned without proceedings until February 18 while the court resented customs plea seeking registration of money laundering case when currency smuggling has not been proved yet.
Customs court’s judge Rana Aftab heard the currency smuggling case. Ali’s counsel told the court that his client is on her way from the airport. Customs prosecutor Amin Feroz requested the court to record witnesses’ statement as all were present.
The court resented the request and stated asked how could witnesses’ statements be recorded when the record is with Lahore High Court (LHC).
On the other hand, Ali’s counsel Lateef Khosa argued against plea filed by the customs seeking registration of money laundering case against his client. He said that Ali was possessing money at Benazir International Airport which she had earned through legal means and not thievery or corruption.
Khosa said that customs authorities played ‘April Fools’ Day’ with the state on April 1, 2015. Case against his client was added in the anti-money laundering list on April 1 last year, he added.
The customs representative stated that Ali did not travel to Dubai once but at least 41 times. She used to stay at Burj Khalifa and was caught in possession of lacs of US dollars, he added. The prosecutor said that a case under Money Laundering Act Section 3 should be launched against Ali.
Judge Rana Aftab remarked that the court is not interested in listening to stories. He instructed the prosecutor to talk on legal grounds and evidences.
He said that currency smuggling has not been proved yet and customs are after registration of money laundering case.
Judge Aftab ordered the customs authorities to not appear before the court unprepared. However, the court adjourned the hearing after Ayyan Ali appeared before the court.
Ayyan Ali was arrested by the airport security force at Islamabad airport in March 2015 for possession around US $506,800.
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