ISLAMABAD — The Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) administration has ordered an immediate, city-wide ban on shisha cafes. The directive, issued late Tuesday, strips all establishments of their existing No Objection Certificates (NOCs), effectively ending legal operation for every lounge currently serving tobacco-based shisha in the federal capital.
Deputy Commissioner Irfan Nawaz Memon confirmed the order, citing “public health concerns” and the failure of operators to maintain compliance with safety standards. The decision marks a shift from previous regulatory efforts that had attempted to limit or monitor these venues. Now, the administration is moving to shutter them entirely.
For years, the status of shisha cafes in Islamabad has existed in a legal gray area. Some operators held valid NOCs, while others operated under the radar. The new mandate removes that distinction; it applies to every cafe regardless of their previous permitting status.
Local authorities have begun notifying business owners to cease operations. According to sources within the administration, teams from the ICT office will start conducting raids across F-6, F-7, and Blue Area this week to ensure enforcement. Those found in violation face immediate sealing of their premises and potential legal action under the Prohibition of Smoking and Protection of Non-Smokers Health Ordinance.
Health advocates have long pushed for this move, pointing to the high concentration of toxic chemicals in shisha smoke. Critics of the ban, however, argue that the move will push the industry into the shadows, making it harder to regulate rather than eliminating the practice.
The administration’s stance remains firm. Officials state that the health risks and the inability to effectively police the contents of shisha mixtures have made a total ban the only viable path forward.
“We aren’t looking at individual cases or previous agreements,” a district official said on condition of anonymity. “The directive is clear: the practice is closed, and the permits are void.”
The crackdown is expected to face immediate pushback from the restaurant association, which has historically lobbied for the legalization and regulation of such venues. For now, the city’s shisha lounges have been given a final warning to clear their inventories and lock their doors.
