ISLAMABAD (APP): The Supreme Court on Tuesday issued show cause notice to the Secretary Commerce over his absence in Sheesha smoking case.
The court directed all the provincial governments to ensure implementation of the apex court orders regarding ban on Sheesha smoking.
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The three-member bench of the apex court headed by Chief Justice Anwar Zaheer Jamali and comprising Justice Amir Hani Muslim and Justice Ijaz Ul Ahsan heard the suo moto case regarding tobacco epidemic in Pakistan.
During the course of proceedings, Federal Secretary Health informed the court that the script of bill regarding sale and purchase of Sheesha would be presented in the federal cabinet meeting on September 30.
The court hoped that the government would take solid steps to ban Sheesha smoking in the country.
The chief justice remarked that Punjab and Khyber Pakhtookwa governments had taken steps to stop use of Sheesha but Sindh government wrongly used apex court orders.
The bench asked why apex court orders were not implemented. The court was informed that Secretary Commerce was abroad on a tour.
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On which Justice Amir Hani Muslim expressed annoyance and remarked that the court had summoned Secretary Commerce in personal capacity.
He asked how Secretary Commerce went abroad without court permission.
The Secretary Health said that all steps were being taken to control use of Sheesha smoking and legislation to ban import of Sheesha was expected soon.
The court in its order stated that the Secretary Commerce went abroad without court permission so show cause notice was being issued to him.
The court asked the Secretary Commerce to submit his response that why he had disobeyed court orders.
Later, hearing of the case was adjourned till October 9.