National Geographic's 'Afghan Girl' issued Pakistani identity card
Sharbat Bibi has been residing in the Nasir Bagh camp established for Afghan refugees
A then and now image of Sharbat BIbi published in National Geographic in 2002
In violation of rules and regulations, officials at National Database and Registration Authority (Nadra) issued Computerised National Identity Cards (CNICs) to Afghan woman Sharbat Bibi – National Geographic’s famous ‘Afghan Girl’ -- and two men said to be her sons, Dawn reported.
Sharbat Bibi became a recognised face world-over when renowned National Geographic photographer Steve McCurry captured her portrait at the Nasir Bagh refugee camp, situated on the edge of Peshawar, in 1984.
An image of Sharbat Bibi holding the cover she was featured in June 1985. PHOTO: STEVE MCCURRY
Sharbat Bibi pictured on her Nadra form. PHOTO COURTESY: NADRA
Sources at Nadra’s Hayatabad office told Dawn that high-ups in the authority issued three CNICs on a single day last year to the 46-year-old Sharbat Bibi, wife of Rehmat Gul, and her two sons Rauf Khan and Wali Khan in violation of rules and regulations.
It is unlawful to issue a CNIC card to Afghan nationals without adequate documentation and procedure to acquire Pakistani nationality
Men identified by Nadra as Sharbat Bibi's sons. PHOTO: DAWN
Sharbat Bibi gained global recognition when her face was featured on National Geographic Magazine’s cover in 1985. She was only 12 years old then and her photo was likened with Leonardo Da Vinci's Mona Lisa.
The magazine also made a short documentary about her life and dubbed her the ‘Mona Lisa of Afghan war’. Sharbat remained anonymous for years after her first photo made it to the cover until she was rediscovered by National Geographic in 2002.
After Sharbat's family granted her permission to meet with the man who photographed her 17 years ago, McCurry knew immediately, even after so many years and many unsuccessful attempts, that he had found her again. "Her eyes are as haunting now as they were then," he had said.
Sharbat moved to Peshawar on 1984 along with her two sons and since then, has been residing in the Nasir Bagh camp established for Afghan refugees. According to the Nadra form, Sharbat is said to be a permanent resident of Peshawar's Nothia Qadeem area.
An inquiry was initiated into Nadra for issuing CNICs to foreign nationals without legitimate documentation.
Sharbat Bibi became a recognised face world-over when renowned National Geographic photographer Steve McCurry captured her portrait at the Nasir Bagh refugee camp, situated on the edge of Peshawar, in 1984.
An image of Sharbat Bibi holding the cover she was featured in June 1985. PHOTO: STEVE MCCURRY
Sharbat Bibi pictured on her Nadra form. PHOTO COURTESY: NADRA
Sources at Nadra’s Hayatabad office told Dawn that high-ups in the authority issued three CNICs on a single day last year to the 46-year-old Sharbat Bibi, wife of Rehmat Gul, and her two sons Rauf Khan and Wali Khan in violation of rules and regulations.
It is unlawful to issue a CNIC card to Afghan nationals without adequate documentation and procedure to acquire Pakistani nationality
Men identified by Nadra as Sharbat Bibi's sons. PHOTO: DAWN
Sharbat Bibi gained global recognition when her face was featured on National Geographic Magazine’s cover in 1985. She was only 12 years old then and her photo was likened with Leonardo Da Vinci's Mona Lisa.
The magazine also made a short documentary about her life and dubbed her the ‘Mona Lisa of Afghan war’. Sharbat remained anonymous for years after her first photo made it to the cover until she was rediscovered by National Geographic in 2002.
After Sharbat's family granted her permission to meet with the man who photographed her 17 years ago, McCurry knew immediately, even after so many years and many unsuccessful attempts, that he had found her again. "Her eyes are as haunting now as they were then," he had said.
Sharbat moved to Peshawar on 1984 along with her two sons and since then, has been residing in the Nasir Bagh camp established for Afghan refugees. According to the Nadra form, Sharbat is said to be a permanent resident of Peshawar's Nothia Qadeem area.
An inquiry was initiated into Nadra for issuing CNICs to foreign nationals without legitimate documentation.