The Rawalpindi Bench of the Lahore High Court (LHC) on Monday ordered the restoration of the national identity card of Arshad Khan, better known as Arshad Chaiwala, the tea vendor who gained overnight fame after his photo at a tea stall went viral.
Following the court’s directive, the National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) reinstated his ID card, with its Verification Board confirming his Pakistani citizenship.
Arshad’s lawyer, Omar Ijaz Gilani, informed the court that the issue had been resolved, after which the petition was withdrawn and the case was closed.
NADRA had previously blocked Arshad’s passport and national identity card without explanation. During the hearing, the court remarked that suspending a citizen’s ID card or passport violates fundamental constitutional rights.
According to Gilani, NADRA’s board verified that Arshad and his family are Pakistani nationals, following which the court formally dismissed the case.