Sharbat Gula’s eyes on the cover of National Geographic Magazine are immediately recognizable. The famous photograph was taken by Steve McCurry at the Nasir Bagh refugee camp. It was published on the cover of National Geographic to draw attention to the issue of Afghanistan refugees in the 1980s. This iconic photograph has been compared to Leonardo Da Vinci’s Mona Lisa.

However, on October 25, 2016 Federal Intelligence Agency (FIA) arrested Gula in Peshawar, Pakistan. She has been arrested for living in Pakistan with fraudulent identity papers. Gula was taken into custody following a 2-year investigation into her and her husband. She has been charged under Section 419, 420 of Pakistan Penal Code and Section 5(2) of Prohibition of Corruption Act. Gula faces a sentence to 14 years and a fine of $3,000 to $5,000 USD if convicted.

Since the Soviet invasion, Pakistan has served as a safe haven for Afghanistan refugees. Recently, the refugees have been worried about their new lives since Pakistan has started to become stricter on IDs. After deadlines for the refugees' return have been constantly pushed back, fears have grown since a March 2017 final deadline has been set. Three million refugees will have to return back to Afghanistan.

The photographer of the original portrait, Steve McCurry said in a statement that he is “committed to doing anything and everything possible to provide legal and financial support for her and her family,” he said. “We object to this action by the authorities in the strongest possible terms. She has suffered throughout her entire life, and we believe that her arrest is an egregious violation of her human rights.”