Pakistan’s viral Chaiwala Arshad Khan has taken a major legal step in the United Kingdom by challenging a figurative trademark registered by his former business partner, Nadir Khan Durrani. The dispute centers on the ownership and commercial use of Arshad Khan’s name, image and Café Chaiwala brand following the breakdown of their business relationship.
Trademark Challenge Filed in the UK
Arshad Khan and his business partner Syed Kazim Hasan have initiated proceedings seeking the invalidation of a figurative trademark registered by Durrani.
Their legal claim alleges violations involving contractual obligations, abuse of trust and the unauthorized use of intellectual property. The applicants argue that Durrani registered a mark featuring Arshad’s likeness after the business relationship had already ended.
According to documents filed by Kulachi Solicitors, the applicants maintain that Durrani no longer had permission to use or register intellectual property associated with Arshad after the franchise relationship was terminated.
The case has now brought the ownership of the Arshad Khan Chaiwala identity into focus within the UK intellectual-property system.
How Arshad Khan Became Famous
Arshad Khan became an international internet sensation in 2016 after photographer Javeria Ali captured his photograph while he was preparing tea at a roadside stall in Islamabad.
His striking blue eyes and distinctive appearance quickly attracted enormous attention on social media. The photograph spread widely across Pakistan, India and other countries, turning the young tea seller into a recognizable public figure.
His newfound popularity eventually opened opportunities in entertainment, business and hospitality.
One of those ventures was the development of the Café Chaiwala Arshad Khan brand, which later expanded beyond Pakistan.
UK Franchise Relationship
The business expanded internationally in 2021 when a UK Master Franchise Agreement was signed involving Nadir and Yawar Akbar Durrani.
The agreement allowed the UK partners to operate businesses using the Café Chaiwala Arshad Khan branding under specific conditions.
However, disagreements later emerged over royalties, contractual responsibilities, branding and intellectual-property rights.
The relationship deteriorated further following disputes involving the operation of the Café Chaiwala Arshad Khan location in Ilford, East London.
Yawar Durrani eventually resigned from the UK company, while disagreements between Arshad and Nadir continued.
The franchise relationship was formally terminated on April 8, 2025.
Disputed Trademark Registration
A central part of the legal dispute concerns a figurative trademark that Durrani applied to register on August 19, 2025.
Arshad and Hasan argue that the application was submitted more than four months after termination of the franchise agreement.
They claim the registration was made in bad faith and have referred to Section 3(6) of the UK Trade Marks Act 1994 in support of their challenge.
The applicants also argue that the disputed mark contains a direct representation of Arshad Khan’s face and likeness.
Their position is that Durrani no longer had authorization to independently register or commercially use Arshad’s image following the termination of the business relationship.
Concerns Over Customer Confusion
The Arshad Khan Chaiwala legal challenge also raises concerns about how consumers could interpret businesses using the disputed branding.
The applicants argue that continued use of Arshad’s likeness could cause customers to believe that cafés displaying the image are officially authorized, endorsed or controlled by him.
They allege that the disputed logo has continued to appear in connection with café businesses in Ilford and Slough without Arshad’s consent.
The question of whether such use is legally authorized will now be considered as part of the proceedings.
Durrani Disputes the Claims
Nadir Durrani has rejected Arshad’s version of the commercial relationship and is expected to contest the legal claim.
His position is that the UK operation made significant investments in developing the cafés and that the business received insufficient operational and marketing support from the franchisor.
These competing accounts mean the tribunal will have to examine the original franchise agreement, the parties’ conduct, intellectual-property rights and the circumstances surrounding the trademark application.
New Franchise Owners
The dispute comes as the Arshad Khan Chaiwala brand continues to have a presence in the UK.
Brothers Asif Khaliq and Yousuf Khaliq are identified as the current Master Franchise owners and operate a Café Chaiwala Arshad Khan outlet in Tooting. They are also planning further café openings in the UK.
Their involvement adds another dimension to the continuing development of the brand as the legal dispute over its intellectual property moves forward.
What the Tribunal Will Decide
The UK proceedings will ultimately determine whether the trademark challenge succeeds.
Among the key questions will be whether Durrani’s application was made in bad faith, whether the applicants can establish the necessary rights and goodwill, and whether continued use of Arshad’s likeness violates the rights claimed by Khan and his business partners.
The case illustrates how quickly a celebrity identity can become valuable commercial intellectual property and how complicated ownership can become when international franchise arrangements break down.
For Arshad Khan Chaiwala, the outcome could have important consequences for how his name, image and distinctive brand identity are used in the UK market. Until the tribunal reaches a decision, the competing claims remain allegations and disputed positions rather than established findings.
