RAWALPINDI: Arshad Khan, a tea seller who became famous after a photo of him went viral on social media, has had his Computerized National Identity Card (CNIC) and passport blocked. He has now approached the Rawalpindi Bench of the Lahore High Court for help.
The court has asked the National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) and the Immigration Department to submit a detailed report by April 17.
Arshad Khan became well-known at the age of 17 when a picture of him selling tea in an Islamabad market spread online. Now, questions have been raised about his Pakistani citizenship.
NADRA and the passport authority asked him for proof of residency before 1978. Since he could not provide it, they blocked his identity card and passport.
During the hearing led by Justice Jawad Hassan, Arshad Khan’s lawyer, Umar Ijaz Gilani, said his client is a Pakistani citizen. He argued that the documents were blocked based on false news, which has put Khan’s business and future at risk.
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The lawyer said Arshad Khan’s family has proof of citizenship, but NADRA’s demand for records before 1978 is not reasonable.
The government lawyer, however, said Arshad Khan failed to prove his Pakistani citizenship, so NADRA’s action was correct. But the defense lawyer pointed to the Constitution, mentioning Article 9 (right to employment), Article 18 (right to business), Article 14 (protection of human dignity), and Article 4 (equal treatment under the law). He said blocking the documents without notice was against the law.
After hearing all arguments, the court ordered NADRA and immigration officials to submit a written response and full records by April 17. It is worth noting that in July 2017, NADRA had also called Arshad Khan an Afghan citizen and raised doubts about his Pakistani citizenship.
