Islamabad imposes complete ban on sheesha cafes until further orders
The Deputy Commissioner Islamabad has directed all Assistant Commissioners to ensure strict implementation of the ban across their respective areas.
The district administration has made it clear that cafes with valid No-Objection Certificates (NOCs) will also not be allowed to operate sheesha services under the new orders.
Ban applies to all sheesha cafes
The latest order marks a major tightening of restrictions on sheesha cafes in the federal capital. Under the directive, both indoor and outdoor sheesha operations have been prohibited until further orders.
This means cafes that previously operated under NOCs are also covered by the restriction. The administration has instructed officials to ensure that the ban is enforced without discrimination.
Daily inspections ordered across Islamabad
All Assistant Commissioners have been directed to conduct daily inspections of sheesha cafes in their respective jurisdictions. Officials will check whether cafes are complying with the latest restrictions.
The administration has also ordered field officers to take action against establishments found violating the ban. The move is aimed at ensuring that cafes do not resume sheesha services despite the new restrictions.
Violators face sealing and legal action
The administration has issued a strong warning to cafe owners who violate the order. A cafe found operating sheesha in breach of the ban may be sealed by authorities.
The owner or operator may also face a criminal case under the applicable law. Officials have been directed to take action against violators rather than allowing unauthorised operations to continue.
Why NOC holders are also affected
The latest decision is significant because the ban does not only target cafes operating without official approval. Even establishments that hold NOCs are now required to stop sheesha operations.
The development effectively suspends the earlier arrangement under which some cafes could operate subject to certain conditions. The new restriction will remain in place until further orders from the authorities.
Ban comes amid court scrutiny
The administration’s decision comes as the Islamabad High Court is examining the regulatory framework for sheesha cafes in the capital. The court had earlier sought details about the number of sheesha cafes operating in Islamabad and action taken against establishments allegedly functioning without the required NOCs.
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The issue has remained under judicial scrutiny as authorities face questions about how sheesha cafes are being regulated. On Wednesday, the court directed the Islamabad administration to formulate formal rules governing sheesha cafes within one month.
Earlier rules allowed limited operations
Before the latest ban, the administration had maintained an interim system for regulating some sheesha cafes.
According to the administration’s response cited in recent court proceedings, sheesha service had previously been allowed in open and uncovered areas subject to relevant permission. Indoor sheesha operations remained prohibited under the earlier arrangement.
Authorities also required businesses to meet safety and other regulatory conditions. The latest order now stops both indoor and outdoor sheesha operations altogether until further notice.
Crackdown follows previous inspections
The Islamabad administration has already been conducting inspections of sheesha cafes in the capital. In July, officials sealed four cafes during a late-night operation after finding one operating without an NOC and three others operating with expired NOCs.
The latest decision goes further by applying the restriction even to cafes that previously held valid NOCs. This gives enforcement teams a broader mandate to stop sheesha operations across the capital.
What cafe owners need to know
Cafe owners can no longer rely on an existing NOC to continue offering sheesha under the latest order. Both indoor and outdoor sheesha services must remain suspended until further instructions are issued.
Owners who ignore the directive risk having their establishments sealed and facing legal proceedings. The administration has also directed officials to continue inspections on a daily basis.
