Pakistan’s viral ‘Chaiwala’ regains citizenship after being mistaken for Afghan

Arshad Khan, better known across social media as the Chaiwala, has officially been reaffirmed as a Pakistani citizen after the National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) reinstated his blocked national identity card.

The decision came during a hearing of Khan’s petition at the Rawalpindi Bench of the Lahore High Court. NADRA had earlier suspended his CNIC and passport on April 9, 2025, alleging he was of Afghan origin rather than Pakistani.

Khan, however, maintained that he was born in Mardan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and that all his identity documents were genuine. He challenged NADRA’s move in court two days later, arguing that the suspension was unconstitutional and violated his fundamental rights.

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On Monday, Khan’s lawyer, Umer Ijaz Gilani, informed the court that NADRA had reviewed the case and restored his client’s CNIC after verifying his family records.

“Arshad Khan’s father and uncle’s identity cards were already in the system, and NADRA eventually recognized that it was a mistake,” Gilani told Nukta Pakistan. “He is, without question, a Pakistani citizen.”

Gilani added that while the restoration was a relief, the episode raised serious concerns about bureaucratic oversight.

“It’s deeply troubling that someone’s right to citizenship can be withdrawn so easily,” he said. “We are, however, grateful to the Lahore High Court and Justice Jawad Hassan for handling this case with care and urgency.”

Arshad Khan first gained international fame in 2016 when a photograph of him serving tea at a roadside stall in Islamabad went viral. His journey from a humble tea seller to a national celebrity became a symbol of Pakistan’s social mobility - and now, a reminder of the importance of institutional accountability.