Illegal Sheesha Cafes in Islamabad to Remain Closed Until Further Notice

The Islamabad High Court's Chief Justice Sarfaraz Dogar has ruled that sheesha cafes should not operate in the city until appropriate regulations are established. During a hearing on a case against illegal sheesha cafes, the court instructed the Chief Commissioner and Deputy Commissioner of Islamabad to appear in court and submit affidavits confirming that no illegal cafes will be running in the city.

The chief justice questioned how these illegal establishments were functioning in Islamabad and if any rules were in place to govern them. A government lawyer stated that rules for sheesha cafes have been prepared and sent to the government, with approval anticipated. The petitioner's counsel argued for the closure of all sheesha cafes until the regulations are approved.

The chief justice expressed concern that the court's previous order had been misinterpreted to suggest his approval of sheesha cafes, which he considered damaging to the court's reputation. He noted that children are being exposed to sheesha smoking, while officials are prevented from entering premises under the guise of private property.

If the government fails to draft rules, the relevant departments should create their own standard operating procedures. The prosecutor general reviewed the Supreme Court's earlier suo motu order banning sheesha cafes, and an advocate from the petitioner's team inquired about the potential misrepresentation of court orders. The court agreed to review the matter after receiving the affidavits from the two officers.

Meanwhile, the Islamabad Inspector General of Police filed a response refuting allegations of negligence concerning sheesha cafes and drugs, asserting that a zero-tolerance policy is being implemented. According to the police report, 28 cases were registered at 10 police stations between January 1 and July 15, 2026, and an additional 61 cases were filed from July 16 to September 7, 2026.

Legal action was taken against 163 accused individuals at 13 police stations following court orders. The police mentioned that specialized teams have been established for surveillance, commercial CCTV cameras are integrated with the Safe City system, and operations are carried out with the assistance of undercover clients targeting sheesha cafes.