Social media sensation Arshad Khan, famously known as ‘Chaiwala,’ has officially been confirmed as a Pakistani citizen after the Lahore High Court accepted his petition and directed the National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) to unblock his identity documents.
Arshad Khan, who gained global fame in 2016 when a photograph of him pouring tea at a street stall in Islamabad went viral, had faced the suspension of his national ID and passport in 2017 following a media rumor that he was an Afghan national. The case resurfaced amid Pakistan’s ongoing campaign to repatriate undocumented Afghans, which has heightened concerns among ethnic minorities and cross-border families.
According to the court, Arshad Khan’s real name is Zar Khan, son of Baz Muhammad Khan, born in 1999 in Shah Allah Ditta, Islamabad. His father had obtained a Pakistani passport in 1984 and worked in Saudi Arabia from 1989. Arshad Khan began operating a tea stall at Islamabad’s Sunday Bazaar at the age of 17 and received his CNIC in 2017 and passport in 2016 after proper verification.
Following the court’s notice in April 2025, NADRA formed a verification board to review Arshad Khan’s family records and documents. The board confirmed the authenticity of his records and restored his national ID and passport. Justice Jawad Hassan, while disposing of the petition, declared that Arshad Khan is a Pakistani citizen and not an Afghan national.
Speaking after the hearing, Arshad Khan affirmed his Pakistani identity and expressed relief at the resolution. His lawyer, Umer Ijaz Gilani, said the matter had been escalated to the highest government level before NADRA completed its review. Arshad Khan now plans to renew his passport and continue international travel for his “Café Chai Wala” brand, which operates both in Pakistan and the United Kingdom.
Since becoming an Internet phenomenon, Arshad Khan’s popularity has brought international attention to Pakistan, with fans visiting his shop for selfies and media agencies producing commercials featuring him. The court’s decision now ensures that Arshad Khan’s career and international ventures can continue without legal hindrance.