Iconic Afghan girl to be treated for Hepatitis in Bengaluru

Gula became a worldwide face after her photograph, clicked by Steve McCurry, appeared in the National Geographic Magazine in 1984. She was deported from Pakistan to Afghanistan on Wednesday on charges of falsifying identity papers. In her 40s now, she has been offered treatment free-of-cost by the Indian government for which Afghan Ambassador Shaida Abdali expressed gratitude to India. “The iconic Afghan Sharbat Gula will soon be in India for medical treatment free of cost. Thank you India for being a true friend,” Afghan ambassador Shaida Abdali tweeted. Gula, popularly known as the Afghan girl, is reportedly suffering from Hepatitis C besides having some other health issues. After fleeing Afghanistan as a young child, Gula spent decades in Pakistan and was arrested recently on charges of possessing fake identity documents. Gula, a mother of three, is said to undergo treatment at Bengaluru hospital. Pakistan has been criticised for deporting Gula.