Shisha cafés face regulatory clampdown

The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Wednesday directed the district administration to formulate rules governing shisha cafés within one month.

Chief Justice Sardar Muhammad Sarfraz Dogar remarked that the shisha cafés would not be allowed to operate in their current manner without rules being formulated.

"No rules have been made and there are no regulations," the Chief Justice observed, adding that such arrangements were damaging the lives of people in Islamabad. "Everything is happening in an open space. You are taking your generations towards destruction," he remarked.

The Inspector General of Islamabad Police told the court that action had been taken against shisha cafés in compliance with its orders.

The IHC Chief Justice made the remarks while hearing a petition seeking details of shisha cafés operating in Islamabad. Islamabad IGP Ali Nasir Rizvi and Deputy Commissioner Islamabad appeared before the court in person.

Advocate General Naveed Hayat Malik and Acting Prosecutor General Manzoor Ahmad Jajja were also present. The Chief Justice said, "We have great respect for your business, but do not destroy the entire city." He questioned whether smoking tobacco mixed with cannabis could still be considered merely smoking.

The CJ warned that such practices could affect members of the public, saying, "It should not happen that tomorrow your brother or someone from your family becomes a victim of this."

IGP Ali Nasir Rizvi told the court that strict action had been taken against the cafés following the court's order. He said officials had also faced resistance from café owners.

The IGP said children aged 14 and 15 had been found at some of the cafés. FIRs had been registered against some individuals, while an awareness campaign had also been launched. Acting Prosecutor General Manzoor Ahmad Jajja suggested that directions be issued to the Ministry of Health and the government to formulate rules.

"Not only smoking, but things beyond that are also taking place. We will submit a report on the matter," he said. The Chief Justice said he had learnt that café operators closed their doors when raids were conducted. "If you find out about any such café, seal it," he directed. The Chief Commissioner and district administration submitted a written response stating that, until formal laws were approved, no-objection certificates (NOCs) for shisha cafés were being issued under a temporary arrangement. According to the response, the district administration had issued all NOCs for shisha cafés without charging any fee.

It stated that there was no need to formulate separate standard operating procedures (SOPs) for shisha cafés, as the principles laid down by the High Court itself served as the criteria for issuing NOCs.

In accordance with the directions of the High Court and the World Health Organisation (WHO), shisha was permitted only in open-air, uncovered areas. A separate written "terrace permit" from the relevant assistant commissioner was mandatory for the purpose.

The administration also stated that the unsafe storage of charcoal and related equipment at shisha cafés posed a major fire hazard. All fire-safety and fire-prevention measures had therefore been made mandatory for restaurants.