Daily Times

PESHAWAR: Sharbat Gula, the iconic Afghan girl, is likely to be freed on bail today (Tuesday) days after being arrested for acquiring a Pakistani identity card through illegal means.

Though some national and international news channels, including the BBC English website, had earlier carried the news that Gula had been released on bail. However, the news proved false, as the court has given the first hearing date for today.

More than 15 people had filed applications in the high court to represent Gula. However, Advocate Mubashir Nazar and Advocate Rafiullah Baba are the two lawyers representing Gula on behalf of the Afghanistan Embassy and Afghan Ambassador to Pakistan Dr Omar Zakhilwal. Advocate Abdul Lateef Afridi is also helping the two lawyers in the legal proceedings.

A source close to the Gula’s family said that Judge Farah Jamshed had asked the lawyers to make a fresh application and file it after getting it signed and approved from Gula. The lawyers met the girl and filed a new application in the court.

A family member of Gula claimed that she did not know that it was illegal for an Afghan national to acquire a Pakistani identity card. “She thought it was normal to get an identity card as she was told the money she was paying was the actual cost of getting an ID,” the family member said, requesting anonymity.

Meanwhile, a two-member delegation comprising Muhammad Nasim Kakar and Abdul Hameed Jalili representing the Afghanistan Embassy visited Gula on Monday.

Talking to Daily Times, Councillor Muhammad Nasim Kakar said Afghanistan’s Ambassador Dr Omar Zakhilwal had instructed the two diplomats to visit Gula. “We are pleased that the Pakistani government is providing her basic facilities along with a doctor and medicine she needs,” he said.

Nasim Kakar said Gula’s morale was high and she was confident of getting the bail. “We comforted her that she would be out in a day or two. We assured her of assistance and support of the Afghanistan government and the Afghan people,” the councillor added.

The first hearing in the case, in which three National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) officials had already been arrested, will take place today and most probably the Afghan refugee, who rose to fame after her childhood photograph – shot by American photographer Steve McCurry – made it to the cover of the National Geographic Magazine in 1985, will be freed on bail today.