ISI, IB Declare Arshad Chaiwala Afghan National; Case Delayed Indefinitely

Rawalpindi – The legal battle over the nationality of Arshad Khan, famously known as the “Chaiwala,” took a significant turn as Pakistan’s intelligence agencies, ISI and IB, submitted reports claiming he is an Afghan national. The Lahore High Court Rawalpindi Bench has adjourned the case for an indefinite period, further delaying resolution.

Justice Jawad Hassan presided over the hearing where representatives of both ISI and IB submitted reports stating that Arshad Khan’s original name is “Zar Khan,” son of Baz Mohammad Khan, and identified him as an Afghan citizen. Deputy Attorney General Sajid Tanoli appeared on behalf of the state.

During the hearing, NADRA requested more time to submit an additional report, which the court granted. Arshad Khan’s legal counsel also sought a delay to prepare a comprehensive response, which was accepted.

According to the petition filed in court, Arshad Khan was born in 1999 in the Shah Allah Ditta area of Islamabad and received his early education at a local government school. His father, Baz Khan, obtained a Pakistani passport in 1984 and worked in Saudi Arabia from 1989.

The petition further stated that Arshad Khan has never visited Afghanistan and holds neither an Afghan passport nor an Afghan identity card. He began working at a tea stall in Islamabad’s Sunday Bazaar at the age of 17. In 2016, he was issued a Pakistani passport, and in 2017, he received a NADRA-issued ID card—both based on verified documents.

Read more: NADRA issues important instructions regarding ID cards

The petition claims that the blocking of his CNIC and passport was illegal and has destroyed his tea business. It also highlights that Arshad gained international fame, bringing foreign exchange to Pakistan through his viral popularity on social media.

The petitioner criticized the demand for property documents from 1978 or earlier, arguing that Arshad comes from a poor family and such requirements are unreasonable.

As the case remains unresolved, Arshad Khan’s legal identity—and his ability to continue working—hangs in the balance.