Who is Ayyan Ali? Pakistani Supermodel Jailed for Money Laundering [PHOTOS]

Twenty-three year old Pakistani supermodel Ayyan Ali once ranked among the 10 most beautiful women in the world. But since March, the woman has been languishing in a jail in Rawalpinidi on charges of money laundering.

Hailed as one of the most successful models in the largely conservative country, Ayyan, began her walk to fame at the age of 16 and since then has established herself not only as a supermodel but also an upcoming singer.

The model who goes just by her first name - Ayyan -- is Pakistan's most successful model, who it is speculated, is supposed to represent Pakistan in the Miss Universe 2016 pageant.

However, things have been topsy-turvy for the young model after she was detained on 14 March at the Islamabad airport on charges of money laundering. The Pakistani airport officials found her with a suitcase carrying $500,000, which is beyond the legal limit of $10,000 allowed in the country.

A BBC report stated that Ali, in her defence, has claimed that the money was "acquired legitimately" and that she was unaware of the "customs rules".

If convicted on charges of smuggling money out of Pakistan, the model faces a 14-year jail term.

She is currently being housed at the Adiala Jail, in the cantonment of Rawalpindi along with 4,500 other prisoners, who are there for crimes such as murder and terrorism.

The Pakistani media since her arrest has been pressuring the jail authorities to ensure that the model gets no 'special favours'. Local Pakistani paper The Tribune reported that the supermodel is getting a 'VVIP' treatment inside the jail. "Two female prisoners are appointed to 'serve' her," a senior warden was quoted as saying by the daily.

The report also noted that Ayyan has been given a well-furnished room with a TV and refrigerator; she wore a new dress daily and was even allowed a mobile phone.

Jail authorities have, however, denied the claim. "She is living in a block with 10 other female prisoners and is allowed to see her family members twice a week, according to jail rules," prison authorities of Adiala, Pakistan's largest Jail, told BBC.

The supermodel had released her new single "Earthquake" in January [Watch Video]