- IHC CJ directs authorities to seal all shisha cafes.
- Says cafes cannot operate without rules, regulations.
- CJ tells cafe owners: “You are destroying your generations”.
Islamabad Deputy Commissioner Irfan Nawaz Memon on Wednesday announced a complete, immediate ban on shisha cafes in the federal capital until further orders.
In a post on X, the deputy commissioner said the ban on the cafes was imposed in compliance with the Islamabad High Court’s (IHC) orders.
“Under this ban, all types of shisha cafes—whether holding NOC, outdoor, or indoor—have been prohibited from conducting shisha business,” he added.
The deputy commissioner warned that any violation would result in the cafe being sealed and a case being registered against its owner.
“Assistant Commissioners will ensure inspections on a daily basis by conducting operations without discrimination,” he added.
Earlier in the day, the IHC directed the Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) Administration to frame rules for shisha cafes within one month.
The directive was issued by IHC Chief Justice Sarfraz Dogar during a hearing on petitions against shisha cafes in the federal capital.
At the outset of today’s hearing, Inspector General of Islamabad Police Syed Ali Nasir Rizvi and DC Memon appeared before the court in their personal capacities.
The IHC CJ remarked that shisha cafes could not be allowed to operate without rules and regulations.
“There are neither any rules nor regulations,” the judge noted.
The IHC CJ directed the authorities to seal all shisha cafes.
Expressing his annoyance, the judge told the cafe owners: “Your business is respected, but do not destroy the city.”
He further remarked: “You are taking your generations towards destruction.”
The Islamabad IG told the court that action had been taken against the cafes following the court’s order.
“We faced resistance from cafe owners,” the ICT police chief said, adding that an awareness campaign regarding shisha cafes had also been launched.
Meanwhile, the chief commissioner and district administration submitted their written response in the court.
According to the response, temporary no-objection certificates (NOCs) for shisha cafes are being issued until the federal government formally approves relevant laws.
The local administration said all NOCs for shisha cafes had been issued without any fee.
It said separate standard operating procedures (SOPs) for the cafes were not required, as principles set by the high court serve as the criteria for issuing NOCs.
Referring to the World Health Organisation (WHO) guidelines, it said that shisha is permitted only in open-air, uncovered areas.
A written “terrace permit” from the relevant assistant commissioner is mandatory for serving shisha in an open area, it added.
The city administration said fire-safety measures and the validity of fire extinguishers at shisha cafes would be regularly inspected.
It added that assistant commissioners could conduct inspections, impose additional conditions and take action at any time after receiving public complaints.
The written response said action and crackdowns against shisha cafes in Islamabad began in 2021.
It also said unsafe storage of coal and related equipment at shisha cafes posed a major fire risk, while fire-safety and fire-prevention measures had been made mandatory for restaurants.
The administration said inspection teams were required to check the validity of fire extinguishers and other safety measures at shisha cafes.
According to the response, shisha and other tobacco products may only be served to adults, while environmental standards must also be maintained.
Smoking and serving shisha inside restaurants or in any covered area, including rooftops, would remain completely prohibited, it said.
Calling the IHC’s order as an “interim arrangement”, the Islamabad administration said the instructions would remain in force until the federal government framed formal rules.
Later, the court adjourned the hearing for one month and directed the authorities to frame the rules.
