Pakistani chaiwala gets modelling assignment after becoming an internet sensation

The Pakistani chaiwala (tea vendor), whose image went viral on social media this week, has landed a modelling assignment, Dawn reported. An Islamabad-based shopping store, Fitin.pk, announced that it will sponsor Arshad Khan as a model. The store said Khan has been selected as the company's model for its "full version launch".

Social media was abuzz after local photographer Jiah Ali posted an image of the blue-eyed vendor on Instagram on October 14. The Islamabad Sunday market tea seller's image even topped Twitter trends (#chaiwala) by Wednesday.

Khan told Dunya News that while he was thrilled with the attention, he found it irritating when people wanted to take photos with him during his working hours. Comments about the vendor's "steaming hot looks" soon entered the discourse on India-Pakistan relations.

A post on Twitter said, "A chaiwala from Pakistan is now famous on Indian social media. This is truly a Man kee aasha,” in a reference to the bilateral people-to-people initiative "Aman ki Asha". Another post said, "India and Pakistan are divided by terrorism and cricket but are united by a hot chaiwala. Funny but true."

The 18-year-old appears to have become active on Facebook with a page that is reportedly managed by his representative.