THE obduracy of the influential owners of sheesha cafés is worth noting. Health experts agree that sheesha smoking is highly dangerous, yet numerous excuses are made in its favour. A Lahore High Court judge has in a recent order neutralised the impact of the sheesha owners’ misleading propaganda that the court had not banned the practice. The LHC has declared that district governments have powers to proceed against those found smoking at public places or sheesha cafés. The authority concerned should issue directions against smoking and all district coordination officers must ensure their enforcement.

During the hearing, the prosecution counsel’s stance represented the Lahoris’ sentiments. He submitted that narcotics were being consumed in … the garb of sheesha smoking. The [law] prohibits smoking at public places, and open places attached to sheesha cafés fall under this category. The court further declared that those found using contraband in sheesha cafés should be sent to jail. Any leniency … can only be termed a lame excuse.

The arguments advanced by the prosecution counsel against sheesha cafés indicate the government’s seriousness in eradicating the menace. But it is also important to unveil the realities. District administration teams that moved into action … following the court order found that the government’s writ was being openly flouted on M.M. Alam Road and an adjacent lane. An already sealed café was allowing sheesha smoking through a secret side entrance. It was once again sealed. Three other cafés, one among them already proceeded against, were also operational.

It is highly regrettable that the owners of these cafés are operating despite the administration’s drive. They have strong links; but these links cannot be stronger than the law. The government must come down heavily. Sheesha cafés owners should be jailed along with their clientele. It is not possible to eliminate the culture of sheesha cafés without using the iron fist of the law.—(Oct 31)

Selected and translated by Intikhab Hanif.