Pakistani model Ayaan Ali freed from prison on bail

The 21-year-old had been in government custody since March when she was caught trying to fly to Dubai with $500,000 in her luggage.

Pakistani model Ayyan Ali was detained in March for trying to fly to Dubai with half a million dollars in her bags. B K Bangash / AP Photo

ISLAMABAD // Top Pakistani model Ayyan Ali was freed from a high-security jail near to the capital on Thursday, four months after she was caught trying to fly to Dubai with half a million dollars in cash stashed in her luggage, a defence lawyer said.

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

Under Pakistani laws, no one can carry over US$10,000 (Dh 36,728) on a flight, but authorities found $506,800 tucked into her luggage at the time.

On Thursday, Ms 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,” said Mr Khosa.

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

The 21-year-old has been the focus of intense Pakistani media attention since authorities caught her on March 14.

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

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

* Associated Press