Arshad Chaiwala faces passport, CNIC cancellation

Arshad Khan, also known as Arshad Chaiwala, has had his identity card and passport blocked.

Justice Jawad Hassan recently presided over a case concerning Arshad Khan, who challenged the suspension of his CNIC and passport. The court issued notices to all involved parties, including the National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA), and ordered them to submit their responses by April 17.

Arshad Khan’s petition questioned the legality of the decision to stop his identification documents after rumors aired on a channel questioning his nationality. His lawyer argued that the suspension jeopardized Arshad Khan’s future and professional career, as he has a well-established Pakistani family background and is a rightful citizen.

The petitioner’s counsel highlighted that demanding proof of citizenship from before 1978 is unfair and unjust. He referenced the Pakistan Citizenship Act of 1951, which states that passports serve as primary evidence of citizenship.

The government’s counsel, however, did not defend the action of blocking Arshad Khan’s CNIC and passport but contended that the petition was not valid, as Arshad Khan had not sufficiently proven his Pakistani citizenship.

Justice Hassan asked the government’s counsel to ensure that all relevant departments submit a detailed report before the next hearing scheduled for April 17, 2023. This case has raised questions about the process of verifying nationality and the consequences of such legal challenges on citizens.