Sheesha Cafes Shut Down in Islamabad Amid Drug Concerns
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Synopsis
A joint operation in Islamabad led to the closure of nine Sheesha cafes and the arrest of 64 individuals. The crackdown comes amid ongoing concerns about the illegal sale of Sheesha and its connection to drug-related activities in the capital.
Key Takeaways
- Joint operation led to the sealing of nine Sheesha cafes.
- Sixty men and four women were arrested during the raids.
- Pakistan has had a ban on Sheesha sales for years.
- Raids were conducted in response to complaints about Sheesha being served.
- Authorities are investigating the connection to drug activities.
Islamabad, April 14 (NationPress) A collaborative effort between the Islamabad district administration and local law enforcement resulted in the closure of at least nine Sheesha cafes and the detention of 60 men and four women in Pakistan's capital this past Monday.
For years, Pakistan has enforced a ban on the sale of Sheeshas in restaurants and public venues. Despite this, numerous indoor cafes persist in offering Sheeshas late into the night across various locations in the country, as authorities intensify their actions against the illegal sale of Sheesha in the capital.
In a recent operation, officials conducted late-night inspections of cafes within Islamabad's Bahria Town housing society. According to police reports, these raids were prompted by tips regarding the illicit sale of Sheesha during late hours.
During the operations, at least three Sheesha cafes in Bahria Town were shut down. Authorities also confiscated 110 hubble bubbles along with assorted flavors. Additionally, they retrieved four smoking Sheeshas, three Sheesha flavors, and a sound system. Police indicated that these actions followed complaints about Sheesha being served at private gatherings in various cafes throughout Bahria Town.
Legal cases have been initiated against the individuals taken into custody, and investigations are underway.
Earlier, similar actions were conducted in February, leading to the apprehension of 24 suspects, including five women, during a raid in Ghalib Market in Punjab’s provincial capital, Lahore.
In 2023, Pakistan instituted a comprehensive ban on Sheesha smoking and its distribution nationwide. Following government directives, the sale of Sheesha was prohibited in hotels, restaurants, and public areas. Furthermore, the establishment of new Sheesha cafes and the importation and production of ingredients were also banned throughout the country.
This 2023 ban was part of a continuing effort that began in 2016 when the government enacted a total ban on the importation of tobacco used in Sheesha.
Reports indicate that a drug mafia is operating under the guise of Sheesha cafes across the Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT).
“These cafes have become centers for hazardous substances like flavored tobacco and have morphed into markets for narcotics, jeopardizing our youth and families,” stated Rana Imran Latif, Chairman of the non-profit organization Piyass International.
