Arshad Khan Challenges CNIC, Passport Block in Lahore Court

LAHORE, Pakistan — Arshad Khan, a renowned tea vendor turned social media sensation, has filed a petition in the Lahore High Court challenging the blocking of his Computerized National Identity Card (CNIC) and passport. Khan, who gained international fame in 2016 when a photo of him pouring tea went viral, argues that this action is unlawful and unconstitutional.

During a hearing on April 9, Khan’s lawyer, Barrister Umer Ijaz Gilani, claimed that the National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) and the Directorate General of Immigration and Passports have inflicted considerable damage on Khan’s reputation and livelihood. According to the petition, the request for proof of residency prior to 1978 lacked legal justification and was based on mala fide intent.

“Blocking my client’s CNIC and passport is a clear violation of his rights, including his right to livelihood and dignity,” Gilani stated. He emphasized that Khan’s family possesses documented proof of their Pakistani citizenship, which counters NADRA’s claims.

The court was made aware of previous rulings by the Sindh High Court and the Islamabad High Court that found the blocking of identity documents without proper due process to be illegal. As such, the counsel argued that Khan’s case should similarly be resolved favorably.

In response, an assistant attorney general and a legal officer from NADRA questioned the petition’s validity, noting that Khan had not presented sufficient evidence to confirm his Pakistani nationality. They stated that the blocking of his identity documents was both lawful and necessary.

Justice Jawad Hassan, presiding over the case, issued notices to the federal government and other relevant authorities, requiring their responses by April 17. He also instructed senior officials from NADRA and the Directorate General of Immigration and Passports to present their documentation in court, supporting their position.

The court further ordered that no adverse action should be taken against Khan until the case is decided. Khan, who claims to have been born in Pakistan to Afghan refugee parents, has requested the court to affirm his citizenship under the Pakistan Citizenship Act of 1951, facilitating the reissuance of his identity documents.

This case has drawn attention not only due to Khan’s celebrity status but also for its implications on citizens’ rights in Pakistan. As the matter proceeds, both Khan’s supporters and critics await the court’s decision.