Pakistani model Ayaan Ali denies smuggling money

Leading Pakistani model Ayaan Ali has appeared in court to deny charges that she attempted to fly to Dubai with half a million dollars in cash stashed in her luggage.

State-run Pakistan Television said Ali pleaded not guilty at a hearing in the garrison city of Rawalpindi. The report said the next hearing in the case is due on December 8.

Ali has been the focus of huge media attention since March when authorities, working on a tip, arrested her in the VIP lounge of Islamabad Airport.

Under Pakistani laws, no one can carry more than $10,000 (€9,342) on a flight, but authorities said they found $506,800 dollars (€473,429) tucked in her luggage.

Ali was released on bail in July and her lawyer has said she had no intention to take money outside Pakistan.