Why did NADRA block ID card of Arshad Khan ‘chaiwala’?

ISLAMABAD: Arshad Khan, who rose to fame in 2016 for his striking eyes and became widely known as the ‘chaiwala’, is currently stateless — holding no citizenship of Pakistan or any other country. This is because Pakistan’s National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) has blocked his national identity card.

Arshad Khan’s Pakistani national identification card was initially issued in 2017, temporarily suspended in 2018, and then completely blocked last year.

He has now approached the the Lahore High Court Rawalpindi bench, filing a petition for the restoration of his ID card. The court has accepted the petition for hearing, which is scheduled for April 17.

According to NADRA, they obtained evidence suggesting that Arshad Khan is allegedly a foreign national. When asked to provide clarification, he reportedly failed to appear before the committee for an extended period and also did not submit the required documents.

On the other hand, Arshad Khan denies the allegation that he failed to respond to the notices. He claims to have cooperated with NADRA to the best of his ability.

‘My ancestors migrated from Afghanistan before the 1970s’

Arshad Khan told the BBC Urdu that his ancestors migrated from Afghanistan to Pakistan before the 1970s and that he and his siblings were born in Islamabad.

According to him, his father obtained a Pakistani national identity card in 1984 and later used his passport to work in Saudi Arabia.

Arshad also mentioned that his father had two wives. “Both my stepmother and biological mother are Pakistani Pashtuns. My maternal grandfather and uncles all hold Pakistani ID cards. The only exception is my mother, who never got an ID card — primarily because at the time, women often avoided having photos taken for such documents.”

He also said a Form-B (a child registration document in Pakistan) was issued in his name in 2008.

NADRA’s stance

NADRA Spokesperson Syed Shabahat Ali said Arshad Khan obtained his ID card in 2017. In 2018, notices were issued to him and his family regarding their documentation, requesting specific details.

“These details were requested under the NADRA Act 2000. At the time, Arshad’s ID card was marked as temporarily inactive,” he said.

He added that NADRA obtained evidence indicating that Arshad Khan was allegedly a foreign national.

According to Syed Shabahat Ali, Arshad was asked to provide official documents from before 1978 proving his ancestors’ Pakistani citizenship.

He said, “According to NADRA records, Arshad failed to appear before the NADRA committee between 2018 and 2024, despite receiving notices.”

When Arshad eventually appeared in 2024, he failed to provide the required documents as per the Ministry of Interior’s notification. The documents he did submit reportedly had inconsistencies, including discrepancies in names and mismatches in family relationships.

Syed Shabahat Ali claimed that Arshad was given multiple chances to prove his citizenship. After he failed to provide the necessary evidence, his and his family’s ID cards were subsequently blocked.

He added that although Arshad has now taken the matter to court, NADRA will present all the facts before the judiciary.

However, Arshad maintains that he responded to NADRA’s notices and cooperated as much as possible.

‘NADRA cannot cancel ID card without evidence’

Arshad Khan’s lawyer, Umar Gilani, says that his client gained international fame in 2016 when a photo of him working at a tea stall went viral. At that time, Arshad was 17 years old. The following year, in 2017, he applied for a national ID card, which was approved—but was later blocked.

Advocate Umar Gilani claims that Arshad followed NADRA’s procedures but, after failing to get his ID restored, he has now taken the matter to court.

He added that Arshad’s petition cites precedents from past court rulings. 

“One of the most significant cases was that of political leader Hafiz Hamdullah from Balochistan,” Gilani noted. “When he approached the Islamabad High Court, the court ordered the restoration of his ID card, stating that once NADRA issues a card, it cannot cancel it without concrete evidence.”

He further explained that the Sindh High Court has ruled that citizenship granted to individuals can only be revoked in extreme cases such as treason. However, people who are citizens by birth cannot be rendered stateless, as it goes against basic human rights.

According to Gilani, Arshad Khan was born in Pakistan and holds no citizenship of any other country. “His ancestors did migrate from Afghanistan, but they never held any Afghan refugee documentation—meaning Arshad never had refugee status.”

‘Pakistan’s ambassador and progressive face’

Arshad Khan himself shared that he has been working hard since childhood, and a single photograph transformed his life, giving him fame, respect, and success—all thanks to Pakistan.

He said, “That image brought me global recognition. I was seen and heard across the world, and I used that opportunity to represent Pakistan in a positive light. Together with my team, I launched the ‘Arshad Chaiwala’ tea and coffee brand, which is now gaining international popularity.”

According to Arshad, demand for his brand is even higher abroad than in Pakistan. “We’re receiving requests for Arshad Chaiwala franchises from across the globe. We’ve already established some franchises in London and have agreements pending for other UK cities.”

He added that similar franchise plans were underway in other countries too, but those efforts have now hit a roadblock.

“I see myself as a progressive face, an ambassador, and a symbol of Pakistan to the world,” Arshad said. “This country gave me recognition and fame, and I want to give back in every possible way. I am hopeful the court will deliver justice.”

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