Arshad Khan ‘Chaiwala’ declared Pakistani citizen after NADRA restores ID card
Arshad Khan 'Chaiwala' declared Pakistani citizen after NADRA restores ID card
ISLAMABAD: Arshad Khan, the tea seller who became world-famous in 2016 for his blue eyes and the viral photo as the “Chaiwala,” has officially been recognized as a Pakistani citizen again after his national identity card was reinstated.
According to Arab News, Khan’s lawyer, Umer Ijaz Gilani, told the Lahore High Court that the National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) had unblocked his client’s CNIC.
“Today, we informed the court that the computerized national identity card of Arshad Khan, commonly known as Chaiwala, has been unblocked,” Gilani said. He added that the case was reviewed at the highest government level after the court took notice in April.
A NADRA verification board examined Khan’s family records and older identity documents, confirming his Pakistani citizenship. After this, NADRA officially restored his ID card, and the court “disposed of our constitutional petition” once the issue was resolved.
Khan’s documents were “mistakenly blocked” in 2017 after a false TV report claimed he was an Afghan national.
The issue came at a sensitive time when Pakistan has been deporting undocumented Afghans. Since 2023, over 800,000 Afghans have been repatriated, raising concerns for families with cross-border links — including Khan, whose passport and ID were suspended due to the rumor.
Now, with his ID card verified and citizenship confirmed, Arshad Khan can renew his passport and continue running his popular brand “Café Chaiwala,” which operates in both Pakistan and the United Kingdom.
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