Islamabad Shisha Ban: Deputy Commissioner Orders Immediate Closure of Cafes

Islamabad – (Staff Reporter/Web Desk) – Islamabad shisha ban has come into force with immediate effect, as the city’s deputy commissioner ordered every shisha cafe in the federal capital to shut down until further notice.

Deputy Commissioner Irfan Nawaz Memon shared the decision in a post on X on Wednesday. He said the step was taken in line with directions issued by the Islamabad High Court.

According to his statement, no shisha cafe will be allowed to operate, whether it holds an official permit or not. This applies equally to open-air spots and indoor lounges across the city.

The deputy commissioner warned that any cafe caught breaking the rule would be sealed on the spot. He added that a legal case would also be filed against the owner.

Assistant commissioners have been told to carry out daily checks across Islamabad. The instructions make clear that these inspections should be carried out fairly, without picking and choosing which cafes to target.

The ban follows a court hearing held earlier the same day. Chief Justice Sarfraz Dogar was hearing petitions filed against shisha cafes running in the capital.

اسلام آباد ہائی کورٹ کے احکامات پر فی الفور عمل درآمد کرتے ہوئے وفاقی دارلحکومت میں شیشہ کیفے چلانے پر تاحکم ثانی مکمل پابندی عائد کر دی گئی ہے پابندی کے تحت این او سی کے حامل شیشہ کیفے، آؤٹ ڈور اور ان ڈور تمام اقسام کو شیشہ کا کاروبار چلانے سے روک دیا گیا ہے،خلاف ورزی کرنے کی…

— DC Islamabad (@dcislamabad) September 9, 2026

During the hearing, the police chief and the deputy commissioner both appeared before the judge in their personal capacity. The chief justice pointed out that shisha businesses were operating without any proper rules or regulations in place.

He directed officials to seal every shisha cafe in the city right away. The judge also spoke directly to cafe owners present in court, telling them, “do not destroy the city.”

He added that continuing such businesses without any framework was putting the younger generation at risk. His remarks reflected growing concern over how widely shisha use has spread among young people.

Islamabad’s police chief told the court that action had already started following earlier orders. He mentioned that cafe owners had pushed back against the crackdown in several areas.

An awareness drive about the health risks of shisha has also been launched alongside the enforcement drive, the police chief informed the court.

Separately, the city administration submitted a written reply explaining how shisha cafes were being regulated so far. It said temporary permits were being issued without any fee, and this would continue only until the federal government passes a proper law.

Officials also referred to World Health Organisation guidelines, noting that shisha should only be served in open, uncovered spaces. A special terrace permit from the local assistant commissioner is required for that.

The administration said fire safety would remain a key focus, since coal used for shisha is often stored unsafely. Teams will check fire extinguishers and related safety equipment regularly.

Shisha will only be served to adults under the current rules. Smoking it inside restaurants, closed halls, or even covered rooftops remains strictly off-limits.

Officials described the entire arrangement as temporary, meant to stay in place only until formal legislation is approved. The court has now given authorities one month to prepare complete rules and adjourned the case until then.