KARACHI: Owners of sheesha cafés in Karachi on Friday urged the provincial administration of Sindh to regulate the use of sheesha – a glass-based instrument used to smoke flavored tobacco – in line with the World Health Organization rules since that would “create employment opportunities, earn the government nearly Rs100 million in revenue and promote tourism in the country.”
Addressing a news conference at the Karachi Press Club (KPC), owners and the legal counsel of All Pakistan Café and Restaurant Association (APCRA) said that provincial governments had not come up with any regulations despite clear orders from the apex court to prevent the misuse of sheesha.
“The ban on sheesha in cafés has led to its spread to people’s houses,” Syed Maaz Shah, the association’s coordinator said, adding: “A few days ago, two highly educated people, including a doctor, were sent to prison after police recovered sheesha from their car. A close relative of one of the detainees passed away due to cardiac arrest [caused by emotional distress] after she heard the news and saw their pictures plastered on social media.”
“When a thing is unregulated, it is misused. This is why we have filed an appeal in the apex court and are requesting the provincial authorities to legislate in accordance with the WHO regulations,” he continued.
Shah argued that sheesha was the modern form of hookah, which was used by people like Dr. Muhammad Iqbal, one of the founding fathers of the country, former prime minister, Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto, and a noted politician, Nawabzada Nasrullah Khan.
“I don’t say it’s not injurious to health. But it’s less injurious than cigarettes which are regulated,” he argued, adding that his association was taking an action against the cafés offering sheesha services to students.
“There are nearly 200 cafés in Karachi. Whereas the number of cafés in Pakistan’s other urban centers may accumulate to more than 2000,” he said. “We are ready to be regulate these places. In Karachi alone, the government can earn Rs100million from annual sales tax on such cafés.”
In 2015, the Supreme Court had asked provincial administrations to regulate the sale of sheesha while ordering to the closure of sheesha bars across Pakistan.
In July this year, the Senate Standing Committee on National Health Services Regulation and Coordination had requested the Ministry of National Health Services (NHS) to enact proper laws and allow sheesha smoking in the country.
Café owners in Pakistan ask government to remove sheesha ban
Café owners in Pakistan ask government to remove sheesha ban
- The prohibition was ordered by the Supreme Court of Pakistan in 2015
- Café owners say a regulated use of sheesha can help the country collect Rs100 million in sales tax from Karachi alone
Pakistan’s deputy PM discusses ways to boost economic, trade ties with Iran
- Both countries agreed in August to increase bilateral trade to $10 billion by 2028
- Pakistan and Iran have been working to stabilize relations after strained security ties
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar presided over a meeting to discuss economic and trade cooperation with Iran, the foreign office said on Friday, as the neighboring countries seek to expand ties.
The development took place during an inter-ministerial meeting on Pakistan-Iran bilateral relations chaired by Dar in Islamabad. Pakistan and Iran have been working to stabilize ties following a period of strained security relations.
Both countries have been working to enhance bilateral trade, setting up border markets and exploring barter trade to circumvent banking and currency restrictions. Sanctions and foreign exchange shortages remain key hurdles for Iran, making these alternative systems central to its trade strategy with Pakistan.
“The meeting reviewed ongoing cooperation across a range of sectors and discussed ways to further enhance economic and trade ties,” the foreign office said in a statement.
“The DPM/FM reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to deepening engagement with Iran in key priority areas.”
In December, the foreign ministers of Iran and Pakistan vowed to strengthen bilateral cooperation in trade and connectivity while working for regional peace.
Iranian President Dr. Masoud Pezeshkian also visited Pakistan in August, during which both countries signed agreements to increase bilateral trade to $10 billion by 2028.
