Benefitting from the chronic lethargy of the law enforcement agencies, a number of banned sheesha cafes are resurfacing in many parts of the city.
The Punjab government, under the strict orders of Lahore DCO Noorul Amin Mengal, had sealed all the cafes located in the posh areas that used to serve sheesha.
The police had also confiscated all the material found in these locations and had sealed them.
However, according to reports, the business has started to resurface and this time in connivance of the police.
Sources said sheesha was being offered in places around the Lahore High Court under the auspice of the station house officer (SHO) and even though some members of the lawyers’ community had protested against the sale, no action had been taken.
Cafes and other shops were also seen selling sheesha on MM Alam Road, Gulberg, Defence, Cavalry, Sadar, Shadbagh, Mozang, Iqbal Town and Johar Town.
“It is unfortunate that the cafes have resurfaced even though the government had taken a very strict action against them.
The LHC had also banned any and all such activity. It is the responsibility of the citizens also to spot such locations and to inform the government so that action can be taken against the culprits,” renowned consultant of the Anti-Narcotics Campaign Syed Zulfiqar Hussain said, adding that the government too should take action against the police officials who were helping these organisations.
