IHC banned Cigarettes, cigars & shisha on public places

Islamabad: The Islamabad High Court has ordered to regulate Shisha cafes in the federal capital, the court also directed the Chief Commissioner to close Shisha cafes in Islamabad until a policy is formulated.

Justice Mohsin Akhtar Kayani has said in an 11-page written decision on the citizen’s petition against Shisha Cafe that Secretary National Health Services should notify the rules in six months and Chief Commissioner Islamabad Shisha Cafe should visit Shisha Cafe. Shesha cafes should be closed after the rules are notified.

It has been written in the court decision that after making the rules, businesses related to tobacco will be allowed with NOC. The court has written in its decision that Shisha cafe owners have adopted the position that there is no specific law related to the sale and purchase of Shisha, Shisha cafe owners say that when there is no law, how can it be declared prohibited?

It is written in the judgment that the court has learned how Islamabad can be made smog-free without making rules of the federal government, there is no denying that cigarettes, cigars or shisha are banned in public places.