Nadra Claims ‘Chaiwala’ Arshad Khan is Afghan National in Court Filing

The National Database and Registration Authority (Nadra) informed the Rawalpindi bench of the Lahore High Court on Thursday that Arshad Khan, famously known as ‘Chaiwala,’ is an Afghan citizen.

This revelation occurred during the hearing of Khan’s petition against Nadra and immigration officials for the suspension of his national identity card and passport the previous week.

In a report presented to Justice Jawad Hassan, Nadra stated that while Khan was born in Islamabad, inconsistencies exist within his parents’ records. Nadra’s investigation indicates his father is registered as a resident of Sargodha, and his mother’s name varies across different documents.

The authority noted that a show-cause notice was served regarding Khan’s passport based on information from two verification agencies. Khan’s legal representative has requested the court to allow until April 22 to address Nadra’s assertions.

Khan, who gained social media fame for his striking blue eyes, petitioned the court to reinstate his CNIC and passport, which were put on hold due to discrepancies in his citizenship documentation.

The internet personality approached the Rawalpindi Bench of the Lahore High Court (LHC), through lawyer Umar Ijaz Gilani, contesting Nadra’s action, asserting that he was being asked to provide residency evidence from before 1978.

Consequently, the court summoned the appropriate authorities along with the relevant records on April 17.

During the court session, Advocate Gilani contended that Khan embodies the Pakistani dream, having risen from modest circumstances to international recognition.

Only nine years prior, Khan was a teenager earning a living by selling tea at a roadside stall in Islamabad, with limited prospects for a prosperous future.

In 2016, Khan experienced sudden fame when a photographer’s Instagram image of him at his tea stall was widely circulated.

At the time, Khan identified as an ethnic Pashtun – a community primarily located in Pakistan and Afghanistan, sometimes characterized by lighter skin and eyes.

Following his rapid ascent to stardom, he reportedly received offers for modeling contracts and potential film roles, which he turned down.

Leveraging his online popularity, Khan launched his own tea café in Islamabad named ‘Cafe Chai Wala’ in 2020, establishing himself as a brand.

Khan’s brand expanded from Islamabad to Tooting, South London – a significant move that introduced local flavor, truck art, and a small collection of Urdu books to a new audience.