The blue-eyed tea seller who brewed fame across the globe may not be Pakistani after all. In a surprising revelation, the National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) told the Lahore High Court’s Rawalpindi bench that Arshad Khan—popularly known as Pakistan’s “handsome chaiwala”—is actually an Afghan national.
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The controversy came to light during a hearing where Khan challenged the blocking of his Computerized National Identity Card (CNIC) and passport. According to NADRA’s report, backed by intelligence from the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) and Intelligence Bureau (IB), there are inconsistencies in Khan’s documentation, particularly his mother’s identity and nationality.
While his father, Zar Muhammad, is registered in Sargodha, his mother’s records reportedly do not align with NADRA’s database, leading to a show-cause notice and suspension of Khan’s official documents.
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Representing Khan, Barrister Umer Ijaz Gilani argued that his client symbolises the aspirational rise from humble beginnings to global recognition.
“He is a national icon,” Gilani stated, pointing to Khan’s viral fame since 2016 and the recent success of his Café Chaiwala in South London. The lawyer also criticized the demand for proof of residency before 1978 as “mala fide” and “unreasonable.”
Justice Jawad Hassan, presiding over the case, granted Khan until April 22 to present evidence supporting his claim to Pakistani nationality, thereby adjourning the hearing.
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Meanwhile, the public has taken to social media with mixed reactions. “Chaiwala an Afghan? Say it ain’t so!” read one trending post on X (formerly Twitter), while others humorously questioned whether they had been sipping “ghaddar chai” all along.
As the court awaits proof and the kettle simmers, the fate of the internet’s favorite tea vendor hangs in the balance.
