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Iconic 'Afghan girl' from National Geographic Cover arrested in Pakistan

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This is Sharbat Gula.




The Afghan refugee girl whose iconic photograph captured the world’s attention three decades ago has been arrested for living illegally in Pakistan with fraudulent documents.

Shahid Ilyas, an official of the Federal Investigation Agency's National Database Registration Authority, told AFP that Sharbat Gula was arrested following a two-year investigation and could face up to 14 years in prison.

The National Geographic cover photo of Gula was taken by Steve McCurry in 1984 in a refugee camp in Pakistan. It became one of the defining images of a conflict between mujahideen insurgents and Soviet occupying forces.

Millions of people were displaced by the conflict and many chose never to return, establishing businesses and starting families in Pakistan. Today the country has an Afghan refugee population of 2.5 million. But Afghans have become increasingly unwelcome, with politicians often blaming the refugee community for crime and terrorism.

Gula is just one of an estimated 3 million Afghans who have fled to Pakistan after increasing violence in their country.


Pakistan has launched a series of actions to force their return. Refugees were issued with a “Proof of Registration” card that allowed them to stay in the country. The Pakistani government will revoke these cards on Dec. 31, leaving more than 1.5 million previously documented individuals in legal limbo. Before that, on Nov. 15, almost 1 million undocumented refugees in the country will require visas to remain.

Meanwhile, the situation in Afghanistan continues to deteriorate. This year alone, 8,397 civilians have been killed or injured, according to the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan. The Taliban has made significant gains this year, forcing an estimated 1.2 million people from their homes.

McCurry confirmed he had heard news of Gula’s arrest through a friend in the country.


The photographer said: “She has suffered throughout her entire life, and believe that her arrest is an egregious violation of her human rights.”

Sources -  https://www.buzzfeed.com/rosebuchanan/the-afghan-girl-from-national-geographic-cover-has-been-arre?utm_term=.grE0bZ8Md#.pj3Aew0yv

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