The Islamabad High Court has ordered the closure of all shisha cafés in the federal capital and directed authorities to withdraw the no-objection certificates (NOCs) previously issued to them. The court ruled that all such establishments must stay shut until new rules are framed.
According to The Express Tribune, Chief Justice Sardar Muhammad Sarfraz Dogar issued the directions on Wednesday while hearing a petition seeking action against illegally operating shisha centres in Islamabad. A detailed written order will be issued later.
At the previous day's hearing, the chief justice had summoned the Islamabad chief commissioner and deputy commissioner to explain how illegal shisha cafés were operating, and directed them to submit affidavits that no illegal café would be allowed to run. He observed that an earlier direction allowing lawfully operating establishments to continue had been misinterpreted.
The government's counsel told the court that proposed rules for shisha cafés had been prepared and sent to the government for approval, which was expected shortly. Dawn reported that the court ordered the ban to remain in place until the government completes the legislation.
Following the order, the Islamabad district administration launched a crackdown. The Shalimar assistant commissioner sealed four shisha cafés in E-11, and the deputy commissioner directed all assistant commissioners to act in their areas without delay. The administration said NOCs issued to café owners had been cancelled in compliance with the order and that it would be enforced without discrimination.