Chaiwala Arshad Khan faces citizenship controversy in court

Arshad Khan, famously known as ‘Chaiwala’, is in the midst of a legal battle after the National Database and Registration Authority (Nadra) told the Lahore High Court’s Rawalpindi Bench that Khan is not a Pakistani citizen, but an Afghan national.

The revelation came during a court hearing on a petition filed by Khan, who rose to fame in 2016 as a blue-eyed tea seller in Islamabad. His petition challenges Nadra and immigration authorities over the suspension of his CNIC and passport due to alleged discrepancies in his personal records.

According to Nadra, while Khan claims to have been born in Islamabad, the documents for his parents contain conflicting information. His father is registered as a resident of Sargodha, while his mother’s name varies across different documents. Based on verification reports from two separate agencies, Khan’s passport was blocked, and a show-cause notice was issued.

Khan’s lawyer, Advocate Umar Ijaz Gilani, argued that Khan is being unfairly asked to prove residency before 1978, which is nearly impossible for someone of his background. The court granted time until April 22 for Khan’s legal team to respond to Nadra’s findings.

During the hearing, Advocate Gilani described Khan as “a symbol of the Pakistani dream” a young man who rose from poverty to fame without resources or influence. Just nine years ago, Arshad Khan was a teenager selling tea at a small roadside stall in Islamabad. His life changed when a photographer’s photo of him went viral on Instagram in 2016.

Following his viral fame, Khan received modeling offers, started his own business, and became a social media star. In 2020, he launched ‘Café Chai Wala’ in Islamabad, and later expanded internationally by opening a branch in Tooting, South London, known for its Pakistani truck art décor and Urdu mini library.

Despite his celebrity status, Khan now finds himself fighting to prove his Pakistani citizenship in court. The next hearing is scheduled for April 22, where Khan and his lawyer will present their defense.

The case has sparked widespread interest on social media, with many expressing support for the man who came to represent hope, resilience, and the rise of the underdog in Pakistan.