LAHORE: The Lahore High Court (LHC) Rawalpindi Bench has released a written order in the case of social media celebrity Arshad Khan, aka “Chaiwala,“ against the cancellation of his CNIC and passport.
Justice Jawad Hassan presided over the case, issuing notices to all parties involved, including the National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA), to file their responses by April 17.
Arshad Khan’s petition questioned the legality of stopping his CNIC and passport after a channel aired rumors calling into question Arshad Khan‘s nationality.
His counsel argued that this puts Arshad Khan‘s future and professional career at risk, explaining that Arshad Khan is a national citizen and has a family history supporting a Pakistani passport.
The counsel for the petitioner asserted that it‘s malicious and unjust to demand proof of citizenship from before 1978, citing the Pakistan Citizenship Act of 1951, which establishes that passports are prima facie evidence of vacation.
For their part, the government counsel argued that they were not defending the action of blocking Arshad Khan‘s CNIC and passport, but argued the petition was not maintainable as Arshad Khan had not established Pakistani citizenship.
The Court requested that the Counsel for the government ensure that all appropriate departments submit a report before the next hearing on April 17, 2023.
