Iconic National Geographic’s Afghan Girl Arrested In Pakistan

The National Geographic’s iconic green-eyed Afghan girl, now a woman in her 40s, is under arrest in Pakistan.

Sharbat Gula was just 12 when photographer Steve McCurry captured her face while she lived in a refugee camp for Afghan nationals in Pakistan’s Peshawar.

Also known as Sharbat Bibi, the iconic woman is learned been arrested Tuesday in Peshawar for falsifying documents and living illegally in Pakistan.

In 2015 too She was arrested on similar charges. However, she was released later.

Meanwhile, McCurry said he is committed to help Gula financially as well as legally.

Releasing a statement the photographer said Gula has suffered throughout her life and arrest is a violation of her human rights.

CNN reports the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) in Afghanistan could only be able to assist Gula if she registers as a refugee.

The International Organization for Migration (IOM) said the arrest is symptomatic as Afghan refugees are in pressure in Pakistan to return.

Meanwhile, reports of Human Rights suggest since July 1 Pakistan has repatriated 370,000 Afghans and only 220,000 of them have registered.

Millions of Afghan people have taken shelter in Pakistan over the years.