PESHAWAR: People of Peshawar, on this Eidul Fitr, sought out a unique style of footwear: leather sandals adorned with the number 804.
Dubbed the “Qaidi No. 804 Chappal,” this sandal derives its name from the prisoner identification number assigned to former Prime Minister Imran Khan during his incarceration in August of the previous year.
Imran Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party has popularized the term “Qaidi No. 804,” with supporters and members often referring to the jailed former premier by this moniker. This has led to a surge in demand for merchandise bearing the number, with many merchants seizing the opportunity to capitalize on its popularity.
Among these merchants is Chacha Noor-ud-Din, the proprietor of Peshawar’s renowned Kaptaan Chappal Shop. Noor-ud-Din, a seasoned shoemaker who gained national and international acclaim in 2014 for crafting traditional Peshawari chappals for Khan, initially named them “Kaptaan” sandals after the former Pakistani cricket team captain who later ascended to the role of Prime Minister in 2018.
“In response to the soaring demand, I introduced the ‘Qaidi 804’ sandal this year,” Noor-ud-Din said in a feature report by Arab News. “The demand surged unexpectedly, leading to a shortage,” he added, expressing uncertainty about fulfilling all orders before Eid.
Peshawari chappals are characterized by their wide, rounded toes and open backs, typically crafted from soft leather, ensuring both durability and comfort. In Pakistan, men often pair them with traditional attire such as shalwar kameez, while younger individuals may wear them with jeans or casual trousers.
Reflecting on his journey as a craftsman, Noor-ud-Din revealed that he initially named the Peshawari chappal crafted for Imran Khan in 2014 as the “Special Peshawari Chappal.” Subsequently, for Khan’s wedding with now ex-wife Reham Khan in 2015, he rebranded it as the “Kaptaan Chappal.”
The renown garnered from these sandals has brought numerous opportunities for Noor-ud-Din, with clients ranging from high-profile sports personalities and politicians to diplomats, and government and military officials.
