ISLAMABAD – The Islamabad High Court (IHC) has directed the district administration to formulate rules governing sheesha cafés in the capital within one month.
Chief Justice Sardar Muhammad Sarfraz Dogar heard a petition seeking details of sheesha cafés operating in Islamabad. The Inspector General of Police (IGP) Islamabad, Deputy Commissioner and other officials appeared before the court during the hearing.
Expressing concern over the potential health and social risks associated with sheesha cafés, Chief Justice Dogar said, “We respect your business, but do not destroy the entire city.” He questioned whether smoking mixed with cannabis could still be considered merely smoking and warned that family members and younger people could also fall victim to such practices.
The chief justice observed that sheesha cafés could not continue operating in their existing manner without proper rules and regulations.
“There are no rules and no regulations, yet all of this is happening in open spaces,” he remarked, adding that such practices could put future generations at risk.
IGP Islamabad Ali Nasir Rizvi told the court that the police had taken strict action against sheesha cafés following previous court orders. He said the authorities had also faced resistance from café owners.
Rizvi said police had found boys and girls as young as 14 and 15 at some establishments, while FIRs had been registered against certain individuals. He added that an awareness campaign had also been launched.
Acting Prosecutor General Manzoor Ahmad Jajja said the Ministry of Health and the federal government should be directed to formulate proper rules for sheesha cafés. He noted that activities beyond smoking were also taking place at such establishments and said the authorities would submit a report to the court.
In its written response, the Chief Commissioner’s office and district administration stated that, until formal regulations are approved, no-objection certificates (NOCs) for sheesha cafés are being issued under a temporary arrangement. The administration said all NOCs had been issued without charging any fee.
The district administration further stated that there was no need to formulate separate standard operating procedures (SOPs) for sheesha cafés, as the principles laid down by the high court already serve as the criteria for issuing NOCs.
According to the administration, in light of the IHC’s directions and World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines, sheesha may only be served in open-air, uncovered areas. A separate written “terrace permit” from the relevant assistant commissioner is mandatory for this purpose.
The administration also highlighted the fire risk posed by the unsafe storage of charcoal and other equipment used at sheesha cafés, stressing that restaurants are required to comply with all fire-safety and fire-prevention measures.
It further said that sheesha and other tobacco products might only be served to adults and that establishments are required to maintain environmental standards.
The district administration maintained that the existing judicial order is an interim arrangement that would remain in force until the federal government frames formal rules.
The court, later, directed the authorities to formulate the required rules and adjourned the hearing for one month.
