Pakistan court declines to unseal vape shops as petitioners invoke right to trade

A Pakistani court on Tuesday refused to unseal shops selling vapes and electronic cigarettes across Punjab province, following a plea by business owners challenging the provincial government’s recent ban on the products.

The Lahore High Court (LHC), with Justice Anwar Hussain presiding, heard arguments from the petitioners, who contended that the federal government permits the import of vapes and e-cigarettes, on which customs duties are paid, and that the Constitution guarantees every citizen the right to conduct lawful business. Assistant Advocate General Imran Khan represented the Punjab government.

“The Constitution grants every citizen the right to conduct business,” the petitioners’ lawyers told the court, stressing that the shops were sealed despite operating within the legal framework established at the federal level.

They urged the court to declare the sealing of shops unlawful and to allow them to reopen pending a final verdict.

However, the court declined to grant immediate relief and issued notices to the Punjab chief secretary, home secretary, and CCPO. The hearing was adjourned until next week.

The legal challenge comes after the Punjab government, with the approval of the provincial cabinet, imposed a blanket ban on the sale and purchase of vapes and e-cigarettes in early June. A province-wide crackdown followed, resulting in the closure of dozens of shops.

A government spokesperson defended the move, saying it aimed to safeguard public health and curb growing addiction among youth.