RAWALPINDI: The Lahore High Court (LHC) Rawalpindi Bench has issued a written order in the case filed by Arshad Khan, a social media personality famously known as “Chaiwala”, against the cancellation of his national identity card and passport.
A single-member bench comprising Justice Jawad Hassan heard the case and issued notices to NADRA and other all parties concerned directing them to submit their replies by April 17.
The court order stated that petitioner Arshad Khan questioned the legality of blocking his CNIC and passport by NADRA and the other parties.
The petitioner through his counsel Barrister Umer Ijaz Gilani, informed the court blocking of his identity documents by Nadra and the Directorate General of Immigration and Passports was both unlawful and unconstitutional. He approached the court under Article 199 of the Constitution.
His lawyer told the court that the demand by Nadra for pre-1978 proof of residency was based on mala fide intent and lacked legal justification. He said that his client’s family had a documented citizenship history. Citing articles 4, 9, 14, and 18 of the Constitution, the lawyer said that the cancellation of his client is a violation of his rights to livelihood, dignity, and lawful treatment. The actions of Nadra and other authorities have jeopardised his future career and tarnished his reputation.
The court was also informed of precedents from the Sindh High Court, Islamabad High Court, and previous judgments of the Lahore High Court, where the blocking of CNICs and passports without due process was declared illegal.
In response, the assistant attorney general and Nadra’s law officer questioned the maintainability of the petition, arguing that the petitioner failed to submit sufficient documentation proving Pakistani nationality.
Justice Hassan issued notices to the respondents for April 17 seeking para-wise comments and instructing senior officials from Nadra and the Directorate of Immigration and Passports to appear with relevant records to justify their actions.
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The court also restrained the authorities from taking any adverse action against the petitioner as well.
Arshad Khan, who hails from Mardan, gained international fame after a photographer shared a photo of him selling tea in Islamabad, which went viral.
