ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad shisha cafe ban took immediate effect on September 9, covering indoor, outdoor and NOC-holding establishments after the Islamabad High Court ordered authorities to frame regulations within one month.
Deputy Commissioner Irfan Nawaz Memon said on X that all shisha operations would remain prohibited until further orders. Authorities would seal cafes violating the directive and register cases against their owners.
Memon directed assistant commissioners to conduct daily inspections across the federal capital and enforce the restriction without discrimination.
Earlier Wednesday, Islamabad High Court Chief Justice Sardar Muhammad Sarfraz Dogar said shisha cafes could not continue operating without a formal regulatory framework and directed the district administration to complete rules within a month.
Islamabad Inspector General of Police Syed Ali Nasir Rizvi told the court that police had already acted against cafes and faced resistance during some raids. He said authorities had also launched an awareness campaign.
The district administration told the court that it had previously issued temporary no-objection certificates under an interim arrangement pending formal federal rules. Under those conditions, shisha could only be served in open, uncovered areas with a written terrace permit from the relevant assistant commissioner.
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The latest ban suspends those arrangements for now, meaning cafes cannot serve shisha even if they currently hold an NOC.
The court adjourned proceedings for one month while the administration prepares the new regulations.
