Pakistan Arrests National Geographic’s ‘Afghan Girl’
A Pakistani prosecutor has dismissed a bail plea from National Geographic’s renowned “Afghan Girl,” Sharbat Gula, arrested just a week ago over allegedly forged identity papers.
Sharbat Gula, best known for the iconic photograph from 1984 that was published on the cover of National Geographic, has denied the charges. She insists she didn’t fraudulently obtain Pakistani nationality.
Prosecutor Mohsin Dawar stated that the court ruled to dismiss the application for bail on Wednesday, citing insufficient evidence to prove Pakistani citizenship.
Gula gained widespread fame in 1984 when her photograph appeared on the cover of National Geographic, showcasing her piercing green eyes. In 2002, she was located again in Afghanistan by photographer Steve McCurry. She surfaced briefly in Pakistan in 2014 but went into hiding when authorities accused her of acquiring a fake Pakistani identity card.
Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan has promised to release Ms. Gula on bail.
Original Publication: November 02, 2016, 2:44 pm IST
