ISLAMABAD
\nThe Islamabad High Court (IHC) has barred authorities from taking \u201ccoercive measures\u201d against legally operating sheesha cafes, directing them to finalise rules governing such establishments within one month.
\nDuring the hearing of the case on Wednesday, the IHC sought a response from the federal government on the matter and expressed concern over the absence of a legal framework for sheesha cafes.
\nIn its written order issued on Saturday, the high court directed the government to ensure that rules concerning sheesha cafes were finalised within one month and a compliance report be submitted.
\nIt also directed the federal cabinet to expedite approval of laws restricting sheesha smoking.
\nThe IHC observed that protecting the younger generation from drugs and sheesha smoking was the government\u2019s responsibility, while directing the Islamabad advocate general and additional attorney general to raise the matter before the relevant authorities.
\nThe court ordered Islamabad police to continue strict action against illegal sheesha cafes and directed the Anti-Narcotics Force (ANF) to cooperate with police in eliminating drugs.
\nHowever, it directed that restaurants and cafes operating in accordance with the law should not face unlawful action, while strict legal proceedings should be initiated where the law or permit conditions were violated.
\nDuring Wednesday\u2019s hearing, Islamabad\u2019s inspector general of police told the court that authorities had registered FIRs against some people and faced resistance from cafe owners during raids. He said children aged 14 and 15 were also found at some sheesha cafes.
\nThe district administration had informed the court that NOCs for sheesha cafes were currently being issued under a temporary arrangement until formal rules were approved by the federal government. It said all NOCs had been issued without a fee.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
ISLAMABAD The Islamabad High Court (IHC) has barred authorities from taking \u201ccoercive measures\u201d against legally operating sheesha cafes, directing them to finalise rules governing such establishments within one month. During the hearing of the case on Wednesday, the IHC sought a response from the federal government on the matter and expressed concern over the absence […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":566358,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-566966","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-national"],"yoast_head":"\n