On April 9, 2025, Justice Jawad Hassan of the Lahore High Court issued notices to Pakistan’s federal government, NADRA, and the Directorate General of Immigration and Passports in response to a complaint from Arshad Khan, known as the “Chaiwala.” He is challenging the blocking of his CNIC (Computerized National Identity Card) and passport.
Khan, originally from Mardan, rose to global fame in 2016 when an Instagram photo of him pouring tea in Islamabad went viral.
LHC seeks response from govt after Arshad’s passport, ID card blocked.https://t.co/cBaX2GVkse
— Dawn.com (@dawn_com) April 9, 2025Represented by Barrister Umer Ijaz Gilani, Khan argued that the block was illegal under Article 199 of the Constitution. “Arshad embodies the Pakistani dream, rising from humble roots to fame,” Gilani told the court, criticizing Nadra’s demand for proof of residency before 1978 as baseless. He cited constitutional rights to dignity and livelihood and referenced previous court rulings against blocks lacking due process. The court scheduled a response on April 17 and prohibited any adverse actions against Khan.
Read: Café Chaiwala Arshad Khan Expands in London with New Branch
In a related ruling, Justice Hassan addressed another petition seeking to prevent coercive actions against an individual claiming citizenship by birth. The petitioner, who was born in Pakistan to Afghan refugees, presented a birth certificate through Advocate Fatima Tuz Zahra Butt. The court directed the National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) to determine the petitioner’s citizenship status within a month, ensuring the decision was made fairly per the 1951 Citizenship Act.
