Pakistani internet sensation Arshad Khan, popularly known as “Arshad Chaiwala,” has approached the court after alleging that authorities refused to renew his Pakistani passport despite officially confirming his citizenship.
Arshad claims his Pakistani nationality has already been verified through official proceedings. Moreover, he says authorities had previously issued him a passport. However, they are now refusing to renew the travel document without providing a satisfactory resolution.
Arshad Challenges Passport Renewal Delay
According to Arshad Khan, both his citizenship and his family’s nationality have already been verified by the relevant authorities. Despite that confirmation, he says he continues facing obstacles in obtaining a renewed passport.
A video shared by Arshad on social media shows him expressing frustration over the ongoing delay. He says the situation remains unresolved even though he is a verified Pakistani citizen.
As a result, he has decided to seek legal intervention.
Lawyer Says Authorities Failed to Respond
Barrister Umar Ijaz Gilani, representing Arshad Khan, said his client is a well-known Pakistani citizen whose identity was previously restored through court proceedings.
According to the lawyer, letters were sent to the concerned authorities seeking clarification. However, he said no satisfactory response was received.
Therefore, Arshad filed a petition before the court.
The petition names the Ministry of Interior and the Director General of Immigration and Passports as respondents.
Gilani expressed confidence that the court would provide relief, just as it previously did during proceedings related to Arshad’s identity documents.
From Viral Tea Seller to Global Recognition
Arshad Khan first gained worldwide attention in 2016 after a photograph of him serving tea at a market in Islamabad went viral across social media platforms.
At just 17 years old, his striking blue eyes and distinctive appearance attracted international recognition. Consequently, he entered the modelling industry and became widely known as “Arshad Chaiwala.”
Later, he launched the Cafe Chaiwala brand, which expanded to several cities across Pakistan. The brand also established a presence in London, further strengthening his public profile.
Passport Dispute Follows Earlier Citizenship Case
The current passport issue comes after an earlier controversy regarding Arshad’s nationality.
Previously, rumours questioning his citizenship led the National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) to block his Computerised National Identity Card (CNIC).
In response, Arshad challenged the decision before the Lahore High Court.
He maintained that he was born in Mardan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, while his father belongs to Gujranwala. He argued that NADRA’s action was unlawful and taken in bad faith.
According to his petition, blocking his identity documents also exposed him to the risk of deportation during Pakistan’s campaign against undocumented foreign nationals.
Citizenship Verified but Passport Issue Continues
In October 2025, NADRA’s Verification Board officially validated Arshad Khan’s family records. Following that decision, his CNIC was restored after authorities confirmed his Pakistani citizenship.
However, despite the restoration of his identity documents, Arshad and his legal counsel maintain that the passport renewal issue remains unresolved.
They have now asked the court to intervene and ensure that the passport renewal process is completed in accordance with the official confirmation of his citizenship.
