Sheesha cafes in the metropolitan city have been given the green light to continue doing business as the Sindh government has directed the Karachi police to refrain from taking action against them. Sources have disclosed that top police officials have been directed not to crack down on Sheesha cafes.
Sources further told The Express Tribune that Sheesha cafes, predominantly located in posh neighbourhoods of the metropolis, have been subject to periodic crackdowns in recent years. However, these cafes have managed to survive and even thrive, with the Karachi police reportedly resorting to extorting weekly and monthly payments from them instead of shutting them down entirely.
In response to this, the Sindh government recently issued instructions to cease the crackdown on Sheesha cafes. As a preventive measure, police will now be stationed outside these cafes to deter youths from using drugs disguised as sheesha consumption. If the smoker is found using drugs at any cafe, the owner will be arrested.
Sources have confirmed that, in compliance with the Sindh government's directives, police have been deployed outside Sheesha cafes in the South and East Zones to monitor any unlawful activities. However, it has been clarified that if Sheesha consumption is the only activity within these cafes, no action will be taken against them, and the owners will not be harassed by police.
Published in The Express Tribune, April 10th, 2024.
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