Pakistan will not deport Sharbat Gula, National Geographic's iconic green-eyed 'Afghan Girl', for using fake ID cards to stay in Peshawar, a media report today quoted an official as saying. She was arrested on 26 October from her home in Pakistan.
Gula, was immortalised after her haunting picture taken at a refugee camp in Pakistan in 1985 was carried by the magazine on its cover and became a symbol of her country's wars.
A special anti-corruption and immigration court in Peshawar ordered Gula's deportation to Afghanistan on Friday after serving a 15-day jail sentence besides slapping a fine of 1,10,000 rupees (USD 1,100). Gula will complete her sentence on Wednesday.
Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf chairman Imran Khan requested KP Chief Minister Pervez Khattak to not deport Sharbat Gula. The decision was taken on humanitarian grounds and as a goodwill gesture towards Afghanistan.