National Geographic 'Afghan girl' deported from Pakistan

The Afghan woman who appeared on an iconic cover of National Geographic magazine three decades ago has been deported from Pakistan after being convicted of carrying a forged Pakistani ID and staying in the country illegally.

Sharbat Gulla and her four children have been handed over to the Afghan authorities at the Torkham border crossing, about 35 miles north west of the Pakistani city of Peshawar.

The case of Ms Gulla, whose haunting portrait, captured by photographer Steve McCurry in 1984, shed light onto the plight of refugees in Afghanistan, has drawn international attention and criticism of Pakistani authorities over their perceived harsh treatment of her.

Photographer Steve McCurry stands in front of two portraits of Sharbat Gulla - one from her iconic National Geographic front cover and one taken recently. Credit: PA

Ms Gulla, who is now in her 40s and widowed, was arrested in October.

According to local government administrator Fayaz Khan, Peshawar provincial authorities had reportedly tried to find a legal way for Ms Gulla to stay in the country on humanitarian grounds, but she declined the offer.

Mr Khan added that Ms Gulla was being flown to the Afghan capital of Kabul, where a function in her honour was to be hosted by Afghan president Ashraf Ghani.

Ms Gulla was also sentenced to 15 days in jail and fined £800.