Pakistan High Court Orders Crackdown on Illegal Shisha Cafés in Islamabad

The Islamabad High Court has ordered the Islamabad city administration to ensure the enforcement of a ban on illegally operating shisha cafés in the capital, amid the absence of a specific regulatory framework. Chief Justice Sardar Muhammad Sarfraz Dogar issued the directive during a hearing, requiring senior administrative officials to submit written affidavits guaranteeing effective enforcement measures. According to a report from the Inspector General of Islamabad Police, between January 1 and September 7, 2026, authorities filed 89 cases and arrested 282 suspects in connection with illegal shisha operations. However, the court expressed concern over the practical effectiveness of these measures as violations continued. During the hearing, Chief Justice Dogar emphasized that the absence of specific legal regulations cannot be used to justify illegal business operations. The court directed the Chief Commissioner and Deputy Commissioner of Islamabad to take responsibility for ensuring the ban's enforcement, while also asking Prosecutor General Manzoor Jhajja and Advocate General Naveed Malik to provide legal opinions on the matter. A draft regulation governing shisha café operations has been forwarded for approval, but progress remains slow. Representatives of the businesses cited employment and economic impact concerns to oppose closures, while public health groups and parents raised concerns about shisha's harm to youth. The Supreme Court of Pakistan had previously ordered a shisha ban through a suo motu proceeding, establishing a legal precedent for the Islamabad High Court to apply in this case. The petitioner's counsel proposed a temporary closure window of 15 to 20 days to ensure compliance. The court demonstrated its resolve by declaring it would not grant further extensions if authorities failed to provide concrete guarantees. The next hearing is expected to be held soon to review progress on implementing the issued directives.