Arshad Khan: The Chaiwala's Legal Battle for Citizenship

Synopsis

Arshad Khan, the famous 'chaiwala' from Islamabad, is in a legal battle over his Pakistani citizenship, facing the risk of deportation to Afghanistan after his identity documents were blocked. Authorities claim he is an Afghan national, while he contests this and seeks to restore his identity.

Key Takeaways

Arshad Khan gained fame as a chaiwala after a viral photo.
He faces deportation to Afghanistan due to citizenship issues.
Authorities have blocked his NIC and passport.
Khan is challenging these decisions in court.
The case raises questions about identity verification in Pakistan.

Islamabad, April 18 (NationPress) Arshad Khan, the 'chaiwala' (tea seller) from Islamabad who gained instant fame after his captivating photograph at the Sunday bazaar went viral, is now embroiled in legal complications as he fights to affirm his status as a Pakistani citizen while facing potential deportation to Afghanistan.

The unassuming tea seller's photo, showcasing him pouring tea and gazing into the camera with his striking blue eyes, catapulted him to international recognition. However, at the age of 25, he now finds himself spending considerable time in local courts since authorities have blocked his National Identity Card (NIC) and Pakistani passport.

Khan has contested the blockage of his NIC and passport in the Lahore High Court’s Rawalpindi Bench, with the upcoming hearing set for April 22. This follows a response from Pakistan's National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA), which has requested additional time for a thorough investigation by intelligence agencies.

The Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) and Intelligence Bureau (IB) assert that Arshad Khan, also known as Chaiwala, is an Afghan national, claiming he was born in Afghanistan and lacks legal proof of Pakistani citizenship.

The report from these agencies highlighted that no foreign national is permitted to possess or benefit from Pakistani identity documents such as a CNIC or passport.

Additionally, NADRA officials have indicated that Arshad Khan did not provide sufficient evidence of his identity, birth, residence, or property ownership in Pakistan prior to 1978.

Due to the absence of supporting documentation, Arshad Khan's CNIC and passport have been revoked, and a legal notice has been issued, instructing him to exit Pakistan.

In his petition, Khan argues that his long-standing occupation as a tea seller in Islamabad has been adversely affected by the cancellation of his identity documents, damaging his reputation.