SC seeks govt’s report on import of Sheesha ingredients

ISLMABAD: The Supreme Court on Wednesday sought a report from the federal government pertaining to import of ingredients being used in ‘sheesha smoking’ as well as steps taken so far for the prevention of sheesha smoking.

A two-member bench of the apex court, headed by Justice Gulzar Ahmed, resumed hearing in the suo moto case against illegal sheesha cafes in the country.During the course of hearing, the court asked Deputy Attorney General Sohail Mahmood about the ingredients imported for sheesha smoking. The DAG, however, sought some time to submit report in this regard.

Earlier, law officers from Punjab, Sindh and Balochistan informed the court that a bill for the prevention of sheesha smoking has been approved by the cabinet and soon it would be assesd from the provincial assemblies.

Likewise, law officer from Khyber Pukhtunkhwa (KP) informed the court that the provincial assembly has passed the bill for the prevention of sheesha smoking, adding that only rules are being framed in this regard.

The court observed that mere filing of report is not a remedy; some practical steps should be initiated by the governments to discourage sheesha smoking to save the young generation from using it.

Balochistan additional advocate general  told the court that factories, producing Naswaar (snuff) have been ousted from the city.Meanwhile, the court adjourned the hearing for four weeks, directing the federal government to submit a report about the ingredients (tobacco) being imported for sheesha smoking as well as steps so far taken for its prevention.

 On November 5, a three-member bench of the apex court, headed by Chief Justice Anwar Zaheer Jamali, while hearing a suo moto case against illegal sheesha cafes in the country, had directed all the provincial governments to launch a massive crackdown against sheesha cafes and submit a comprehensive report regarding measures taken for the prevention of sheesha smoking.